A section of the crowd which was present for the meeting against Nauxim marina project on Tuesday. Captured by : Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
RGP’s St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and Goemkars Against Marina (GAM) came on a common platform to oppose the Nauxim marina project, even as the MLA vowed that he would ensure that this time around the project is scrapped.
GAM leaders extended their support at the meeting organised by MLA Borkar at Nauxim on Tuesday and said they would back the agitation under the leadership of the MLA.
Apart from GAM, various activists and representatives of political parties extended their support to the agitation.
Speaking at the meeting, MLA Borkar vowed that he will ensure that the battle against the marina project is settled once and for all with the scrapping of the project.
“This project affects 13 villages and I will meet the elected representatives off all these villages in the coming days to garner their support,” he added.
“The project will have facility for parking of 239 boats which will increase later. If that happens, then the fishing activity along the entire Zuari bay will come to an end,” Borkar stated while adding that the agitation will not be restricted only to Nauxim village but will be taken to the other affected villages in the coming days.
Borkar further hit out at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for stating that the project will benefit the locals.
“Whenever any project is approved, the only statement that the CM gives is that it is beneficial for the locals. If that is so, then why doesn’t he come here and explain to the people how it is beneficial for the people,” Borkar stated, while opining that it will wipe out the entire Nauxim village as the road itself is shown of 30 metres wide.
“A separate township will be created there and it is stated that there will be pleasure, holidaying, shopping, culture and festival activities,” the MLA informed.
“What does it mean by pleasure? Does the government want to bring in drugs and prostitution activities under the under the garb of marina?” Borkar questioned.
The MLA then urged the locals to come out in large numbers if they want to save the village for their future generations.
GAM Convenor Adv Suresh Palkar praised MLA Borkar for bringing everybody together under a common platform in the fight against the project and assured GAM’s full support to the MLA.
“There was a misconception in certain quarters that there appears to be a divide in the movement and today, with the MLA bringing everybody on one platform has shown that all are united,” Palkar said.
“We were able to thwart the project on three earlier occasions but every time we have been able to achieve success and we will ensure that we will win all battles and finally the war against the project,” Palkar stated.
Palkar further challenged the project proponent to come and have a dialogue with the locals with the issue.
Other leaders who spoke on the occasions included Mariano Ferrao, Rajan Ghate, Tara Kerkar, Ramrao Wagh, Vishvesh Naik, AAP’s Valmiki Naik, Premanand Gaude, Sanjay Faterpekar, Aruna Wagh, Anthony D’Silva, local panch Deepali Kankonkar and others.
