Special Correspondent

Panaji, Apr 17: The iron ore exports from Goa has come to standstill since Friday after the local protestors blocked the channels of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) agitating against the expansion of the port, located 40 kms away from here.

The industry sources confirmed that around 400 barges are stranded at different points in the rivers on their way to the Port for unloading in the transshipers.

The agitators 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 that per day loses to the tune of  $1.20 lakh is faced by the trade due to sudden strike.

GMOEA, an umbrella organization of ore exporters, have said that at least 15 transshipers 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 transshiper) 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 protestors are demanding that rest 247 structures be saved from being razed down.

KAP activist Fr Bismark Dias said that all the dwellings of traditional fishermen across the coast should be notified by the government.

As the protestors have continued blocking the channel, MPT has estimated that they have suffered loses to the tune of Rs 20 crore in a single day.

MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan said that state government’s intervention is sought to address the issue.

State chief minister Digambar Kamat is out of station on a private visit and is expected to arrive on Saturday evening.

In the meantime, KAP has crippled the entire port town. KAP’s women members have held sit-in infront of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) while entire town has been shut down.

KAP has said that they will not withdraw the strike till government fulfills their demands.

Government sources stated that district administration has now approached Indian coast guard for their help to clear the channel by removing the trawlers and canoes.