the goan I network
MAPUSA
The opposition to coal transportation which was earlier confined to South Goa is slowly spreading towards the North with Calangute, Assagao and Bastora gram sabhas on Sunday unanimously deciding to oppose coal transportation and nationalisation of rivers in Goa.
Moving a joint resolution, gram sabha members in Calangute, Anthony D'Souza, Leslie Rodrigues and Walter said all transportation of coal through Goa and all ongoing coal handling must be stopped completely.
The strongly worded resolution said coal can cause severe respiratory diseases, cancer and other problems which will lead to loss of life while the coal infrastructure will only lead to destruction of rivers and cause massive devastation of habitats.
"The loss of habitat and water pollution due to coal handling will lead to total disintegration of Goa's population and eco projects," the resolution said.
"The proposed port expansion is only to profit the corporate houses and not for public interest. The huge cost
and zero benefit do not justify the whole expansion proposal," it added.
Backing the resolution, Sarpanch, Anthony Menezes said Goa does not want nationalization of rivers and coal transportation.
"Coal will only bring destruction and ruin the peaceful and beautiful state of Goa. We have to stop both these proposals for the welfare of our future generations," Menezes said.
In Assagao, locals joined hands to oppose coal transportation and the proposal of nationalization of rivers and later unanimously passed a resolution against both the projects.
Tabling a resolution against coal transportation, Rajan Ghate warned that coal dust will not only affect people of Vasco but its effect will hurt entire Goa.
"All villagers will have to come together to fight against this dreaded monster of coal dust that will destroy Goa. It's now or never. We must all rise and oppose the move to
make Goa a coal hub,"
Ghate said.
Moving the resolution against nationalization of rivers, Melroy D'Souza said local fishing community will be deprived of their livelihood if the government went ahead with the proposal.
"The move will only benefit big industrialists while locals will be left with nothing," D'Souza said.
Supporting the villagers on the twin issue, Assagao Sarpanch, Jallinder Gaonkar said government was not transparent in the coal issue and therefore Goans had every right to oppose it.
"I will support my villagers against coal and river nationalization projects in Goa," Gaonkar said.
In Bastora, Pritesh Patel moved a resolution against coal transportation and the proposal for nationalization of rivers, which according to him will only harm the interest of locals.
"Coal dust is hazardous for health and pollutes the air that we breathe bringing a host of diseases," he said. He also said once the industry grows, coal will be dumped in the barren fields.
Under the river nationalization plan, Patel said rivers will be privatized and people rights will be restricted.
"We may not be allowed to immerse Ganesh idols in the Mapusa river, once the proposal is passed," he cautioned.
The Bastora gram sabha later unanimously passed the resolution.
