MPT coal project sees activists unite

Margao: Upping their ante against the proposed coal project of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), activists drawn from across the state assembled at Margao on Monday to chalk out their plan of action.

Speakers at the meeting pointed out that the MPT's coal project was at the core of other "destructive" development projects proposed in the state, like "nationalization of rivers, concretisation of river banks, construction of jetties in rivers all over Goa to facilitate coal transportation, double tracking of railway route, road connectivity from MPT to Bellari, Hospet via Verna-Loutolim-Borim-Ponda, etc."

While the organizers of the meeting claimed that the movement was apolitical, several political workers were prominent among those who attended and spoke at the meeting. While Congress spokesperson, Avinash Tavares, shared his views, AAP workers like Rupesh Shinkre, Ranjit Cotta Carvalho and others also participated in the meeting.

Attempting to clear the air, anchor, Abhijeet Prabhudessai, said that while the support of any political outfit was welcome, "no politician will be the face of the movement".

At the brainstorming meeting, various ideas came forth from the participants with a view to strengthen the movement, which included, holding morchas and forming human chains, mass signature campaigns, blocking roads and railways, etc.

Tavares, putting forth his view, suggested that the villagers demand a social impact study be done by the promoters of any project in the village, and insist on holding a public hearing on the project.