Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Residents of Vasco are sounding the alarm about the escalating coal pollution in their city. They are deeply critical of the Mormugao Municipal Council and MLA Sankalp Amonkar for their failure to address the issue effectively. According to the residents, the local leaders are neglecting their responsibilities and seemingly prioritizing personal interests over the well-being of the public.
Nazir Khan, a longstanding resident of Vasco, expressed his frustration at the situation. “A few months ago, there was a dispute between the Councillors and Amonkar. Both separately met with the Chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust to discuss the pollution problem. Following these meetings, they accused each other of receiving bribes from the Chairman. Nonetheless, they had assured us that a solution would be found within a month,” Khan stated.
Khan further alleged that both parties are exploiting the situation for financial gain and claimed there was a clandestine agreement with the Mornugao Port Authority (MPA) to increase coal handling in the city. “If the councillors genuinely aimed to halt coal pollution, they would have rallied people from their respective wards to stage protests. I can guarantee full support from Vascokars if the Municipality launches a protest against MPA for its coal pollution and the associated health risks to residents,” he added.
Another local, Elvino Araujo, echoed Khan’s sentiments and criticized the lack of tangible efforts from the Municipality and the MLA. “The Municipality and the MLA have not provided any relief for Vascokars. The promise to reduce coal pollution was made months ago, yet there are no visible efforts so far. It appears that our representatives are advancing their own interests rather than prioritizing public welfare,” Araujo commented.
