VASCO
In a press note, NFF Vice-Chairperson Olencio Simoes has cautioned the union minister and the state government not to go ahead with any such proposal from the Centre which will destroy the state's coastline.
Simoes further said that Goan coastline carrying capacity is already saturated and about 20 per cent of the 105 km of Goa's coastline has already been affected by erosion apart from the beaches, the Colvale area in North Goa and River Talpona in South Goa have already see shattering erosion.
"Gadkari should not make statements without knowing the ground reality and should know that out of 7,516.6 km coastline in our country, 42% of the coast has already been washed away and the main cause is the unplanned ports/harbors which are also documented by National Institute of Port Management(IIPM)," stated the press note.
The NFF express concern over Gadkari's plans to develop a Special Economic zone(SEZ) for tourism as well as the trade from Vengurla to Karwar.
Stating that Vengurla, Goa and Karwar and its coast line of 170km is very fragile, Simoes said: "
We will oppose SEZ's or any form of development on this coast."
Simoes said that Goa has highest population density of 450 people per square km as against 150 for the all-India average.
In this context, giving away land from Goa's scarce land resource for Nationalization of Rivers,
double railway line,4/6 lane roads, new International Sea ports, SEZ's etc are not acceptable for us.
