Statewide yatra to spread awareness on coal threats 

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Panaji: Alleging that Goa is being made into a coal hub for private corporations, state based Goyant Kollso Naka (GKN), a people’s movement to stop coal transportation through Goa, will be undertaking a Yatra across the state of Goa starting in Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, to spread awareness on threat due to coal in the state.
Informing about the same GKN convernor Antonio D’Silva stated that the Yatra will start from Guirdolim-Chandor, the ancient capital of Goa, and will travel every day to different villages in order to build solidarity towards the people’s lands and communities, to spread awareness among the people of Goa regarding the threats faced from dirty coal.
“GKN has studied the Sagarmala programme MPT’s Master Plan National Waterways Act 2016 and other related documents. We have also studied the ongoing coal transportation to infrastructure works in the State, including the double tracking of Vasco-Hospet railways, which has enraged Goans. These studies clearly show that plans are made and are being implemented to make Goa a coal hub for private corporations wanting to build massive power and steel plants in Karnataka,” he stated.
D’Silva also informed that many politicians, when enquired, have responded saying that they are unaware of the Sagarmala programme and other documents revealing the coal plans. “Despite their ignorance the politicians, especially from the ruling party, are not willing to accept the facts and arguments we are replacing before them,” he added.
Proposing to have a word with the government with regards to coal related issue in the State, the GKN convernor stated, “We therefore demand that the government either participates in a public debate with our representatives if they wish to challenge our findings and facts or to accept our findings and cancel all clearances given and acquisition proceedings for coal and related infrastructure projects.”

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