Luizinho Faleiro raises mining and Old Goa construction issue in Rajya Sabha

TMC MP Luizinho Faleiro raised the issue of mining, double-tracking of railways line and alleged illegal construction in Old Goa in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, November 30

During the Zero Hour proceeding, Faliero raised the issue of transportation of coal to Karnataka. "The government of the day has signed for transportation of 13 million tonnes of coal to Karnataka. Goa is known as a tourist destination. It is known as an international tourist destination, not a coal destination. It is a health hazard and people are suffering," Faliero said.

He said three linear projects in Goa are the three cardinal sins on the people of Goa. ". Double tracking of railways line, expansion of national highway and Goa-Tanmar transmission projects are the three cardinal sins on the people of Goa. These projects are mainly to transport the coal from Goa to the hinterland. This has not only devastated our forests but also devastated the wildlife sanctuaries and trees," the TMC MP said.

He further said the successive government has stopped mining and "almost 2 and half lakh mining-affected people are on the roads."

The two-time chief minister of Goa also spoke about the controversial construction that has come up in a protected area in Old Goa. "They are destroying the Old Hoa heritage site that is protected by UNESCO," Faliero said.

He also said that the Mhadei river is being shifted to Goa leading to devastation to the ecology and environment. "Mhadei river represents 60 per cent of the lifeline of the people of Goa. We worship our rivers. The water of mhadei is been shifted to karnataka. Thereby there is an devastation to the ecology and environment in Goa," he said.