the goan I network
MARGAO
Firmly denying air pollution during transportation of coal from the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), the Margao Salcete Truck Owners Association has slammed Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Babu Kavlekar for raising a hue and cry over coal pollution in the Port Town of Vasco, while demanding to know why casino gambling which has devastated Goan youth and families are not shut down till date.
Addressing the media, Association President Franky Gomes and Vallabh Varak said the livelihood of the truck owners from Margao and Salcete is in danger following a shut down in the coal handling operations at the MPT.
They also demanded to know why the Congress leaders were silent between 2007 and 2012 on coal pollution at the MPT and Vasco when the party was ruling the state under the leadership of then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. “We are also concerned about the safety of the people during coal handling and transportation. Our trucks come out of the MPT covered and sealed, thus ruling out pollution,” contended Franky, while hitting out at the Opposition leader, Babu Kavlekar, GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar and Mahila Congress Chief Pratima Coutinho for politicizing the issue.
“The ship carrying coal docks at the MPT once in two months. After the ban on mining, we were left idle. But coal transportation gives us business for around 20-25 days, which helps us to support our families,” Franky said, adding that coal transportation helps to sustain their families.
He said instead of making political capital out of the issue, the Congress should have helped work out a solution to ensure that pollution, if any, is capped and the activity ensures the livelihood of the stakeholders.
Vallabh Varak claimed that around 200 trucks belonging to Goans are transporting coal from the MPT to factories around the Sanguem-Sanvordem area. “We and our families are now facing uncertain future with coal handling operations shut down at the MPT,” they said
