MARGAO
Minister for Environment Nilesh Cabral on Tuesday announced that the MPT has written a letter to the government that they are dropping as many as four projects proposed at the Port, even as he asserted that the government will cap the existing handling of coal at the MPT and expressed the government’s commitment not to allow Goa becoming a coal hub.
In the same vein, however, the Minister said all the three projects “ track-doubling, power transmission lines and national highway expansion -- will be taken to the logical conclusion, saying these projects are required for the progress and development of the State and the country.
Addressing the media in the presence of Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, Cabral said he has received a letter from the MPT stating they are dropping four projects proposed at the port, including the deepening of the approach channel and turning circle to facilitate berthing of capsized vessels; development of two number of berths with connecting fly over for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard at the Vasco bay; development of outer harbour for iron ore and coal terminal and the proposed multipurpose terminal at Betul. “The MPT has sent the proposal to drop these projects to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Shipping. Our government led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is pursing the matter with the Centre to ensure that the proposal to drop the projects is taken to the logical conclusion’, he said, adding that the Chief Minister will place the decision before the people of Goa within the next 10 days.
Saying that apprehensions are raised in the minds of the people that the double-tracking project is being initiated to made Goa a coal hub, Cabral said the BJP government under the leadership of Sawant is very firm that Goa will not be a coal hub. “This is a strong statement I am making on behalf of the government. There’s no question of Goa being made a coal hub. Allegations that the government does not listen to the people is wrong. Successive BJP governments have ushered in development what is required by the State”, he said.
Saying that Coal is being handled at the MPT for many years now, right from 1947, Cabral said coal has been coming to Berth No 5 of the MPT since 2014 and before that in 2004.
“One part of the project is operated by Adani from 2014 by bringing 5.20 lakh tonnes at Berth No 5, not for their factory, but it is supplied to different proponents in Goa and outside as a trader”, he said, adding that a wrong impression has been created that Adani is bringing coal for their steel plants.
He said JSW is brining coal for its steel plant at Bellary-Hospet as they require coal for their furnace used for converting iron ore into steel. Total handling of coal/coke by JSW is 5.5 million metric tonnes per annum”, he added.
The Minister said that current handling of coal at the MPT cannot be stopped for the reason that MPT has to look after 22,000 pensioners and around 1750 workers. The activity also provides employment to hundreds of people employed by Adani and JSW at the MPT.
While asserting the government will not allow Goa to become a coal hub, Cabral, however, said the three projects will be taken to the logical conclusion, adding that nobody can stop the government from doing this. “Goa is part of the nation. Only 70 km of the double tracking project is in Goa. We are with the nation to make the country developed”, he added.
Referring to allegations that trees are being cut at Mollem for a steel plant, Cabral said coal handling activities is not proposed either at Mollem or other parts of the state. He batted for the national highway expansion project and the transmission lines project passing through Anmod ghat, saying these projects are required for the future.
