SHUT MPT IF IT IS LOSS MAKING BUT DON’T MAKE GOA A COAL HUB: LUIZINHO
NAVELIM: Former Chief Minister and Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro has called for closing down of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) if it is loss making but not to make Goa a coal hub.
Speaking to reporters, Luizinho recalled that three years ago on 15th December 2017 he had raised the issue of coal pollution on the floor of Goa Assembly, saying a white cat which goes out in Mormugao comes back black. But then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar joked about it.
Luizinho hoped that at least now the State government takes it seriously and disclosed that he had already handed a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requesting him to stop making Goa a coal hub.
“My be this government did not take me seriously. But today they should take it seriously because it is affecting Goa’s pollution, ecology and environment. I hope that the Chief Minister will understand it and give instructions immediately to withdraw the order issued by the South Goa collector to close Davorlim railway gate and at the same time start a dialogue with the activists because they are fighting for Goa and Goans and the government must understand what is done is in the interest and future of Goa.”
Declaring that he is firmly with the anti-mega project activists, Luizinho said that he had also submitted a letter to the South Goa Collector about 19 months ago urging him to stop the work of railway double tracking.
He demanded, “Take coal transportation issue seriously. Don’t make Goa a coal destination. Goa is a national and international tourist destination. Both the activities are against each other and not complimenting each other. If MPT making losses close it down but don’t allow more and more coal transportation.”