PANAJI
Goencho Ekvott along with local elected representatives submitted a memorandum regarding the coal issue, double-tracking, the three linear projects through Mollem, the Major Ports Authority Bill and the Sagarmala project to the Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar on Friday morning.
Joint Secretary of Goencho Ekvott Olencio Simoes briefed the Deputy CM about the ill effects of the coal issue with particular reference to the satellite port proposed at Betul as part of the Sagarmala project. He apprised Kavlekar about the quantum of coal that would pass through Goa, especially through the six nationalized rivers, one of them being River Sal, which is part of his Quepem constituency and the hub of fishing activity.
Arch Royla Fernandes apprised the Deputy CM about the ill effects of the fugitive coal dust which has given rise to coronary, cancer and respiratory diseases particularly in Vasco Da Gama the maximum number of deaths were officially reported during the current pandemic.
Founder of Goencho Ekvott Engr Orville Dourado Rodrigues cautioned the Deputy CM about the destruction that the Satellite Port at Betul would cause to the established Fishing and Tourism Industry unless immediate steps were taken by the Goa government to stop and scrap the double-tracking project through Goa, and the destruction of the protected Tiger reserve for the 3 linear projects.
Kavlekar actively interacted with the delegation and assured his wholehearted support to Goencho Ekvott. He appealed to all present to put the interest of Goa and the wellbeing of its residents before everything else, and that such undesired projects that have no benefit to the State should not be allowed and that he will follow up the issue with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Ex-ZP Khushali Velip and all the panchayat members of Naqueri-Betul -- Taro Shiva Kerkar, Jose Seby Fernandes, Retina Carvalho e Simoes, Akansha Naik, Gurudas Velip, Delfi Barbosa, Climca Fernandes and local fishermen leader Pagi were present along with the Goencho Ekvott delegation.
