Images from Ground Zero of the coal routes in Goa

51 million tonnes of coal, three routes, and a state on its way to become a coal corridor. The Indian Express travels through all three routes to find soot covered homes, a lethal cocktail of respiratory ailments, and a ruined ecosystem. At Mormugao Port, by 2020, the black mountain will rise almost three kilometers into the sky. Official records estimate this will rise to 50 million tonnes by 2013 -- Express Photograph Amit Chakravarthy

A coal train at the Kulem station, before it starts the climb through the Western Ghats to reach the JSW steel plant in Toranagallu, Karnataka. Express Photograph Amit Chakravarthy

JINDAL - ADANI- VEDANTA are the Big Three with three coal berths operated by them. Together they import thermal and coking coal for steel plants in the Deccan Hinterland. Express Photograph Amit Chakravarthy

Coal dust has very low density. Traveling on trucks these dust particles pose threat to Goa's most precious asset, its fragile environment. As the scale of imports increase, so will the number of trucks. Express Photograph Amit Chakravarthy

Coal stacks at the Mormugao Port Trust facility near Vasco, Goa. Express Photograph by Amit Chakravarthy

A barge full of coal on the Zuari river, on its way to Vedanta’s pig iron factory in Amona, Goa. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 31-07-17

A resident shows the dust as she wiped off the seat of her scooter at Vasco. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 31-07-17, Goa

Activist working against the coal and coal routes in Goa. The protests have begun on the ground. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 04-08-17, Mumbai

An election hoarding promising "infrastructure" on the route taken by trucks transporting coal. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 04-08-17, Mumbai

Dolvyn Barganza 25, a teacher and part time farmer says her fields have been affected by the coal from trains. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 04-08-17, Mumbai

On the road route near Western Ghats are plantations which are in danger. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 04-08-17, Mumbai

The first signs of erosion appear at the cliff near to the point where dredging took place. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 04-08-17, Mumbai

Abhijit Prabhudesai, 50 activist, involved in the agitation against coal imports says "this has to stop". Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 05-08-17, Goa

As the Proposed new coal truck route extends into verna industrial estate it cuts through the jungle towards Loutulim. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 31-07-17, Goa