AS ANTI-COAL protesters took their agitation to the Secretariat on Wednesday, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that coal handling at the Mormugao Port Trust will be reduced by 50 per cent.
“We cannot stop it all of a sudden. There are families who are dependent on it, around 1,500 families is one estimate. Of this, 4,500 are pensioners who depend on revenue generated by Mormugao Port Trust,” Sawant said. “Coal transport will reduce eventually. The port is looking for an alternate cargo and making efforts to ensure it reduces its dependence on coal handling. All these issues I assure you will be discussed with the Centre.”
