Panaji: Goa Against Coal (GAC), a body of environment activists and civil society groups, on Tuesday denounced Union Minister for Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari’s statements questioning opposition to projects in Goa.
“Mr. Gadkari’s statements revealed his role in blindly serving the private interests of Adani and Jindal over coal imports at incalculable costs to Goa and Goans,” said GAC convener Custodio D’Souza at a press conference.
“The people of Goa overwhelmingly reject coal, just like they rejected the Special Economic Zones in the past. Instead, we want development of fisheries, agriculture, and sustainable tourism,” he said. “Both the Centre and the State government should drop all plans for coal expansion and stop all coal operations, failing which the GAC will mobilise people to defend the environment, economy, and society of Goa from the greed of a few.”
Mr. Custodio said, “We reiterated our demand that the ongoing coal handling in Goa be stopped, all expansion and infrastructure projects for coal be dropped, and that our rivers, seas, and water bodies remain as commons to sustain Goan population in general, and the fishing communities in particular.” The activists said documents perused reveal that there are plans to increase coal handled in Goa from 12 million tonnes to 51 million tonnes at Mormugao Port Trust itself. Khariwada and Baina fisherfolk in Vasco are already fighting to survive displacement forced by misuse of Coastal Regulation Zone laws.
