Daijiworld Media Network - Margao
Margao, Nov 10: Thousands of Goans gathered at the historic Lohia Maidan on Sunday evening, taking a united pledge to continue their struggle until the State government halts coal handling at the Mormugao Port and stops coal transportation through Goa.
In a show of solidarity, participants raised their hands and endorsed a series of resolutions demanding immediate action from the government. The crowd vowed to persist through protests, awareness campaigns, and legal forums until their demands are met.
The people’s charter of demands included scrapping the controversial double-tracking project of the South Western Railway and returning the land acquired for it to Goans. Citizens also called for the cancellation of all port expansion projects at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and urged that the port be used exclusively for green cargo.
Another resolution adopted at the meeting sought the scrapping of the Sagarmala Master Plan for MPT, demanding that Goa’s rivers, coasts, and lands remain under local community control. Participants also urged the removal of the state’s rivers and coastline from the National Waterways Act, 2016, and from Port Limits, while rejecting all proposals for capital dredging and new jetties.
The meeting further demanded cancellation of the new High-Level Borim Bridge and expansion projects for NH-17N, NH-4A, and other roads linked to coal transportation. Citizens also called for scrapping all steel plant proposals and related infrastructure, including bandharas and dams.
Environmental activist and Goyant Kollso Naka Co-convenor Abhijit Prabhudesai, in his detailed presentation, warned that the government’s “Coal Master Plan” proposes to raise coal handling to a staggering 137 million tonnes annually. He accused the Goa government of bowing to central pressure to push coal-related infrastructure, adding that the Sagarmala project aims to triple coal handling and transportation.
“The plan is to handle coal at the MPT from the Kharewaddo and Baina beach belts, with the rest transported through rivers and highways,” Prabhudesai said, noting that dredging work at MPT began in 2016 but was stalled after fishermen approached the National Green Tribunal.
He criticised the state government for transferring control of Goa’s rivers to the Centre, alleging it was done to facilitate coal transportation. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, he said, “The CM had promised schoolchildren that coal handling at MPT would be reduced. Instead, the government has allowed a company to double its handling capacity from 7 million to 14 million tonnes.”
Prabhudesai also linked the Mhadei river diversion to Karnataka’s plans to develop a 300-km steel corridor, warning that Goa was being pushed towards becoming a coal hub.
“Goans have resisted such plans in the past, but this time the government appears determined to move full speed ahead. The time to act is now—if we delay, future agitations may not have any impact,” he cautioned, urging citizens to stay vigilant and united in defence of Goa’s environment.