Khariwado residents lift MPT blockade
GOANEWS & PTI, PANAJI | 16 April 2011 20:21 IST
Fishing trawlers blocked MPT channels
The major stir by the Khariwado residents in Vasco by blocking all the channels of Mormugao Port Trust was put on hold today evening, following assurances from the government as well as the MPT officials.
A consensus was reached after chief minister Digambar Kamat held a joint meeting of Khariwado residents as well as the MPT officials.
Vasco residents had supported the protests by closing their shops for two consecutive days after the municipal authorities razed houses at Khariwado to ground as per the high court order for MPT’s expansion in the area.
The fisherfolk community of Vasco had lined up their trawlers in front of the MPT harbour in the sea waters, blocking their channels. As a result, the MPT operations came to a standstill.
Even one tourist cruise liner coming from Kochi with over 2000 tourists was diverted to Mumbai off Goa coast.
The government would now study the possibility of denotifying the 1963 notification, expanding MPT’s jurisdiction up to Betul.
The MPT has also agreed to request the high court to save rest of the houses at Khariwado.
However, as a result of the protests, iron ore exports from Goa had come to a virtual standstill.
Around 400 barges were stranded since yesterday at different points in the rivers on their way to the Port for unloading in the transshippers.
The agitators, who gathered under banner of Khariwado Affected People (KAF) have blocked the channel by anchoring almost 1,000 fishing trawlers and canoes protesting against demolition of their houses for the MPT expansion project.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) Secretary Glen Kalavampara said the per day trade losses amount to USD 1.20 lakh due to the sudden strike.
GMOEA, an umbrella organisation of ore exporters, have said that at least 15 transshippers are anchored off Mormugao harbour waiting for the ore.
The exporters have said that they were not anticipating the strike and had not prepared for it.
All Goa Barge Owners Association President Atul Jadhav said that the barges (ships transporting ore from jetties to transshipper) cannot move as the channel is completely blocked.
"The loaded barges are waiting for the channel to open," he said.
KAP, which held siege in the city on Friday and thereafter suddenly blocked the channel, is demanding that the state government should stop demolition of their traditional dwellings to make way for the expansion of the port.
The state has already demolished 66 structures while protesters are demanding that rest 247 structures be saved from being razed down. .
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