Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Oct 12: The demand for an immediate resumption of mining in South Goa is emerging as a potential election issue in the mining belt ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

Truck owners and drivers from Sanguem, Quepem and Curchorem met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during his visit to Quepem for the BJP's voter outreach programme and demanded that mining activities in South Goa's mining blocks begin without further delay. They also sought the immediate transportation of mining dumps to help restore their livelihoods.

Sawant reportedly assured the delegation that mining activities would resume within the next two months. However, with mining-dependent communities remaining sceptical about the assurance, political observers believe the issue could become a major election plank if the promise is not fulfilled.

Truck operators said this was not the first time they had approached the Chief Minister over the issue. Suraj Naik, a truck owner, said a delegation of truck owners and drivers from Rivona, Cavrem-Pirla and Sanvordem had earlier met Sawant and placed two demands before him.

“The first was that Colomb in Rivona be excluded from the list of villages classified as Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The second was that mining blocks which were tendered some two years ago, but where work has not yet commenced, be made functional at the earliest. We also asked that transportation of mining dumps be started, as govt has already formulated a mining dumps policy,” Naik said.

Colomb is among the 26 villages in Sanguem taluka proposed to be classified as part of the Western Ghats ESA under the Centre's draft notifications. Naik said the inclusion of Colomb in the ESA category could lead to restrictions affecting mining activities in the area.

Drawing a comparison with North Goa, Naik pointed out that several mining blocks there had been tendered and work had already commenced.

The Chief Minister is also said to have assured the delegation that he would convene a meeting with the bidders and officials of the Mining Department to expedite the transportation of ore from auctioned mining dumps in South Goa.

Mining activities came to a halt more than a decade ago, leaving truck owners, drivers, machinery operators and several ancillary businesses without a steady source of income. The visible progress in North Goa has further heightened the sense of neglect among communities dependent on mining in the southern part of the state.

Sources said South Goa's mining belt has traditionally supported the BJP. However, they indicated that the party could face resistance even in its stronghold areas if the government fails to restart mining before the elections and the Opposition manages to mobilise public sentiment around the issue.