Goa is currently witnessing massive protests against railway infrastructure projects which could cause a major threat to the environment. According to The Indian Express, 51.6 million tonnes of coal are to be imported for Adani Group, JSW Group and Vedanta. The railway authorities are laying tracks on the Western Ghats for the transport of this coal and Goans are protesting exactly that. They worry that these projects will destroy their ecological diversity.
According to India Today, agitated residents took to the street at night on Sunday and gathered on the railway tracks in an attempt to block several trains carrying coal in Chandor, the former capital of Goa.
“Goans are shocked and angry to discover that plans are made to convert Goa into a coal hub. This is going to devastate Goa’s coast, fisheries, rivers, villages, Western Ghats, forests and the very essence of Goa. That is why people of Goa are out on the streets with the demand to stop coal transportation from Goa. This is a people’s movement,” said the co-convenor of the People’s Movement.
“This is not the land to destroy; we have a culture to protect, we do not accept pollution,” said another protestor.
Videos of the protest have gone viral on the internet. A sea of people marched in the darkness with candles in hand. Many even sang, danced, and played the drums, making their voices heard. Have a look:
Citizens in #Chandor #Goa protest the whole night y'day against proposed forest destruction for coal transporting &other projects which need over 70K trees 2 be felled in pristine forests
(1/n)#SaveMollem #GoantKolsoNaka #SaveWesternGhats @GretaThunberg @RichaChadha @IamOnir pic.twitter.com/Aea28U1hSW— Tanmay V.S🌈🌴 (@tanmay_shinde99) November 2, 2020
Anatomy of a Midnight Protest: Melting Candles, Angry Goans, Dancing Protestors — all by the railway tracks.
All against Coal Imports.
My Goa dispatch today.https://t.co/DUPFd3iXbR pic.twitter.com/vdbOblwTVG
— Smita (@smitagnair) November 3, 2020
Several trains carrying Adanis coal stuck in Goa as protestors block railway tracks at Chandor railway crossing.
Protests to save the Western Ghats from destructive linear projects:
1. Against widening of NH4A
2. Against Railway Double Track
3. Against Transmission Line pic.twitter.com/gn0ExozVrj— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) November 2, 2020
A friend is attending the protests where hundreds hv gathered for a peaceful protest at Chandor Goa against the building of double-tracking for coal transportation fr thee Adani, Jindal Vedanta Lobby n the deforestation of 1000s of trees in Mollem#GoyantKollsoNaka #SaveMollem pic.twitter.com/oh9TxhUjlp
— Linford Fernandes (@linf_fdes) November 1, 2020
Tonight, Goans stand for their future.
They occupy the railway tracks in protest against Adani, Jindal and Vedanta's coal handling plans for Goa and against the destruction of Mollem National Park.
We say NO to coal. No means no.
नाका म्हांजे नाकाच! pic.twitter.com/jzIYoebyYF— Save Mollem Campaign (@savemollemgoa) November 1, 2020
Protests against the double tracking taking place at Chandor, by Goans who love their forests, and love Goa. @DrPramodPSawant @CabralNilesh here's all your so called London-based Goans, fighting for the integrity of this state, while you're selling it off. #GoyantKollsoNaka pic.twitter.com/zsRbWmvL95
— Janice Ferro (@JaniceFerro) November 1, 2020
In the middle of a pandemic, students and citizens have been organizing and mobilizing the largest uprising of people ever seen, in the recent history of Goa.
Let us stand in solidarity with them by amplifying their on-ground protests. Make this a national issue. #SaveMollem pic.twitter.com/YjAzeDHBhd
— Malaika (@CarbonSkeletons) November 1, 2020
In my #journalism career till now have covered lot of agitations but today's was one was first of its kind at late night. People came out on streets to oppose the double tracking of railroad. #Goa #Protests @VasudevPratik pic.twitter.com/VwZ3o9RToC
— Gaurang Prabhu Malkarnekar (@GaurangPrabhu) November 1, 2020
It's absolutely heartwarming to see the people of Goa come out in large numbers to protest against the injustice caused by the state government and #SaveMollem.#savemollem #GoyantKollsoNaka #FaceTheClimateEmergency@savemollemgoa @fayedsouza @sardesairajdeep @borges @madversity pic.twitter.com/G4YbfoPCtz
— Janice Ferro (@JaniceFerro) November 1, 2020
Development at the cost of the environment will lead to mankind’s doom someday!