Karnataka   

‘MPT will take people into confidence over its projects’

PANAJI: The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), south Goa-based major port, on Monday promised the aggrieved citizens and various associations associated with fishing and water transport in Vasco that the affected people would be taken into confidence before going ahead with its expansion and development projects. Following a strike by those involved in fishing activities and transportation of iron ore in Vasco, Chairman of MPT Praveen Agarwal in a statement denied the contention of the Mormugao Bachav Abhiyan (MBA) that the MPT intended to carry out its expansion and development activities in a highhanded and indiscriminate manner without taking into confidence the affected people.

The MPT chairman said, “We will not only protect and preserve the interests of age-old occupations of the residents and the scenic beauty of the port city, but also involve concerned people in the discussions to dispel their apprehensions ahead of implementation of various projects.”

The people went on a strike under the banner of MBA from Sunday protesting against the expansion plans of the MPT and issues such as problems of pollution. Mr. Agarwal contended that the MPT could not implement any development projects outside its operational areas without obtaining clearances from the authorities such as the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), New Delhi, and the Pollution Control Board. The procedure for grant of such clearances involved public hearings in which the affected people were given an opportunity to represent their case. Projects were cleared only if the authorities were satisfied that care had been taken to address the problems of the affected people.

The people are apprehensive over MPT’s proposed projects such as development of Baina, Vasco and Vaddem Bays and their implications on the people.

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