the goan I network
PONDA
Vedanta did not make a single trip from Codli to its Amona plant after Dharbandora panchayat members and locals were stationed at Dharbandora to foil the transportation activity.
It may be recalled that the Department of Mines and Geology had allowed Vedanta to transport ore after clarifying that its order to halt ore transportation during monsoon would be relaxed for end users solely for domestic consumption.
In effect, the DMG had partially set aside its own order on June 27 and also “overruled” the Dharbandora Deputy Collector’s directive on July 20 to halt ore transportation during the monsoon.
Welcoming the new development, Vedanta had decided to start ore transport on Wednesday morning and police were deployed at Dharbandora since 7 am. Ponda PI Sudesh Naik and Collem PI Nilesh Dhaimodkar were also present with their staff.
Dharbandora Sarpanch Vinayak alias Balaji Gawas along with panchas and locals had camped in the area to stop the transportation, but till 4 pm there was no sign of transportation. The police personnel were sent back. Speaking to The Goan in the afternoon, Joseph Coelho, operations head of Vedanta, said they would start ore transportation after lunch. “We will start it after lunch,” Coelho said.
Sources said Vedanta had informed the police that it will start transportation after lunch, hence the
police personnel left the place at 1 pm and returned by 2.20 pm. Though there was heavy police force, Vedanta didn’t start the transportation and the police left the place at 4 pm.
Despite efforts to contact Coelho, he did not respond to phone calls.
Will not allow it: Sarpanch
PONDA: Determined to prevent ore transportation in Dharbandora during the monsoon, Dharbandora Sarpanch Vinayak alias Balaji Gawas said they will not allow ore transportation during the monsoon. “We don’t mind if police arrest us for taking law in our hands. We have passed a resolution in a gram sabha that we will not allow ore transportation during the monsoon and we will stick to this decision,” Gawas said.
