Thousands of people across Goa set to rally against jetty policy on motorbikes

Thousands of people across Goa set to rally against jetty policy on motorbikes

Fearing that the Department of Tourism’s impending grip on Goa’s waterways could ultimately lead to the transport of coal across the state, stakeholders hope the motorcade will reiterate their demand for the policy to be dropped.

Team Herald

MARGAO: Social activists and environmental activists from all villages in Goa will participate in a large bicycle rally on October 30, to protest against the proposed Jetty Policy 2022 and make a statement against the nationalization of rivers.

With support for the cause pouring in from various walks of life, the rally is expected to include thousands of agitators on their bicycles and will start from a marked starting point in each village and end in Azad Maidan, Panjim, where protesters will raise the voice. against the nationalization of the rivers, the MPT (Port Limit) jurisdiction, the Sagarmala program and the jetty policy project.

Residents of Raia, Lotoulim, Camurlim, Chandor, Borim, Shiroda, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim, Assolna and citizens of other villages in South Goa have confirmed their participation.

“We will not sit quietly until the pier 2022 policy is removed because the provisions of the policy will destroy the state of Goa,” said Xavier Fernandes, a social activist from Loutolim. He alleged that Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte was misleading the public about the policy and alleged it was a backdoor for coal transportation in the state.

Custodio Dias, another social activist, told the Herald that the people of Goa will show their opposition to jetties policy besides nationalization of rivers, harbor boundary and Sagarmala scheme, through this cycle rally.

“How can the government just come up with policies without giving stakeholders confidence? We will lose our livelihoods and most importantly our small and beautiful state of Goa will be completely destroyed,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism has extended the time for the public to file objections and suggestions to the pier policy until October 31.