MARGAO
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa on Tuesday came out strongly against double-tracking, coal transportation and felling of trees at Mollem, even as he extended support to Goyant Kollso Naka which is agitating against a host of projects detrimental to the State.
The MLA, however, supported the ongoing road expansion work in the state, saying roads need to be expanded given the increasing vehicular population.
The Nuvem MLA made his stand clear on double-tracking and coal transportation when a delegation of Goyant Kollso Naka called on him at his residence on Tuesday morning.
“The delegation of Goyant Kollso Naka are opposed to the double tracking and coal transportation. I told them that I am with them,” D’Sa said and added, “I will take up the matter with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other ruling party MLAs.”
When the media drew his attention to the ruling government which is supporting double-tracking and other projects, which are being opposed by the NGO, he said he will discuss the matter with the government.
D’Sa, however, underlined the need to complete the road expansion work. “The NGO pointed out that the Goan roads will also be used for coal transportation. It imperative that our roads are expanded given the increasing vehicular population. The Nuvem bypass has given a big relief to people of the village, who in the past even encountered difficulty to cross the highway to go to the cemetery,” he said.
The Nuvem MLA reminded he had even arranged an inspection-cum-demarcation of the railway property at Majorda and had sought an appointment with the District Collector South to discuss the double-tracking project, but the same was called off following a petition from Goencho Ekvott.
Earlier, Diana Tavares placed before the MLA the various projects being undertaken in the state, including the double-tracking project, expansion of the highways, and revival of the jetties, just for the movement of coal in the state.
“The MLA has said that he is with the people, but there’s a need to stop these infrastructure projects,” she said.
Felix Furtado, a resident of Chandor, told the media that the delegation has received a positive response from the Nuvem MLA. “We have brought to the MLA’s notice that the ongoing infrastructural projects are executed just for the sake of coal transportation by the big corporates and not for the benefit of Goans. The MLA has understood our issues and he has promised to take up the matter with the Chief Minister,” Felix said.
