BICHOLIM: The president of Dicholi Nagrik Kriti Samiti (DNKS) and MLA of Bicholim, Mr Rajesh Patnekar has urged the residents of Bicholim and surrounding to participate in the agitation launched by DNKS against the ore transportation on Bicholim-Sanquelim highway.

The mining trucks were transporting ore from Kale in Maharashtra to Karnataka via Dodamarg-Bicholim-Sanquelim highway. Presently the ore transportation has been banned by the government on Bicholim-Sanquelim highway considering the demand of the Bicholim residents.

Mr Patnekar was addressing the public meeting at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan, Bicholim on Tuesday evening.

The chairperson of Bicholim Municipal Council, Mr Satish Gaonkar, Mr Kamlesh Bandekar of Bharat Swabhiman Sauntha, ex-councilors Mr Rajendra Kadkade and Mr Shashikant Naik, environmentalist Prof Ramesh Gawas were present on the dais.

The agitation is not only against the ore transportation but it is against the threat to the very existence of the younger generation, Mr Rajendra Kadkade remarked.

Mr Ramesh Gawas opined that due to the excavation in mines Bicholim residents have to face floods every year.

The other speakers expressed their views at the meeting. All the speakers were of the opinion that if ore transport is not banned on the Bicholim-Sanquelim highway then it would threaten the very existence of the people.

Mr Patnekar, Mr Gaonkar, Mr Gawas, and Bicholim councillors appealed the people to participate in the movement launched by Dicholi Nagric Kriti Samiti in support of their demand to stop the ore transportation on Bicholim highway permanently. Councillor, Mr Manohar Shirodkar welcomed the gathering. Mr Arum Naik proposed the vote of thanks.

Meanwhile, the Bicholim residents have claimed that despite ban on the ore transportation on Bicholim-Sanquelim highway, ore is still being transported on the route.