MARGAO: The Goa Forward Party has rallied behind the Goyant Kollso Nakaagitation as the ongoing yatra against coal and coal transportation enteredFatorda before wending its way into neighbouring Margao on Monday evening.
Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, Margao Municipal Chairperson Pooja Naik andGoa Forward-backed councilors and party supporters came out strongly in favourof the rally in Fatorda.
In fact, Sardesai participated in therally for some time on a two-wheeler when the yatra wend its way in Fatorda ashe extended the party’s support to the ongoing agitation.
Earlier in the day, a delegation ofGoyant Kollso Naka led by Convenor Antonio D’Silva and activists AbhijitPrabhudesai, Nelson Mascarenhas, Freddy Travasso and others called on the GoaForward Chief to submit a memorandum opposing the double tracking project andcoal transportation.
After the meeting, Nelson told the mediathat the delegation of Goyant Kollso Naka had called on the Fatorda MLA to handover a memorandum opposing the double tracking project. He said the delegationtold the MLA that the NGO is ready to hold a presentation on Sagarmala to himanytime and at any place to explain how the double tracking project and coaltransportation will in no way benefit Goa and the people.
Travasso pointed out that the FatordaMLA has assured that he will get back to the NGO for the presentation, sayingthat the MLA has agreed to get other MLAs for the presentation as well.
Prabhudesai made it clear to the FatodaMLA that Goyant Kollso Naka is an apolitical organization solely formed tooppose the double tracking project and coal transportation.
“Goyant Kollso Naka is a people’smovement and hence the elected representatives will have to bow down to thesentiments of the people”, he added.
The Goa Forward Chief later told themedia that the regional party will extend its full support to the ongoingagitation against double tracking and coal transportation projects. “Doubletracking project can come up only by clearing the forest land and razingancestral houses along the route. This is not acceptable to the people of Goasince the project is only intended to benefit a few corporates to transportcoal,” he added.
He cited the case of the people of Vascowho had to suffer the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, with experts raising thequestion on whether Vascoites were the most affect because of transportation ofcoal.
In the evening,Goyant Kollso Naka activists assembled outside the Nehru stadium, Fatordabefore taking out a rally after singing the National Anthem and shoutingslogans Bharat Mata ki Jai and to protect Goa and its people.
