Valsad

As always, another development project is going to witness opposition, this time in south Gujarat.

A small-time meeting of limited group of coastal villagers of Umargam taluka was held at Maroli on Sunday evening in presence of Maroli gram panchayat sarpanch Rajesh Keni, Nargol based veteran Parsi KK Mistry, Machhi-Mangela community leaders and others to discuss upcoming Nargol port development project.

Parsi veteran KK Mistry in his address to this meeting appealed villagers to oppose the project. Mistry said port development would offer good prices of land but once the land is sold, what about the life ahead? What about the survival of next generation? Mistry he had been captain of ship in the past. He said Sarigam-Bhilad area’s hill will be cut to fetch soil needed for construction of jetty and bet at proposed Nargol port.

Mangela community activist Naran Keni said the port project would harm fishing activities. Another activist from this community Arjun Machhi was of opinion that only fishing port must be allowed at Nargol.

A decision was taken to hold another such meeting at Maroli gram panchayat on next Sunday and oppose the port project during public hearing scheduled to take place at Tadgam on January 13.

– DeshGujarat