Kejriwal joins villagers in ‘Save Karapur’ protest

Panaji: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with former Delhi chief minister and Goa in charge Atishi joined the Save Karapur agitation against the Lodha mega project, expressing solidarity with the villagers.

Kejriwal slammed BJP for pushing anti-people projects and said that if AAP forms govt in Goa, Section 39A will be scrapped and all mega projects approved under it will be revoked retrospectively.

“BJP ministers have aligned themselves with builder lobbies and corporate interests at the expense of local communities. I praise the people of Karapur for their determination and resilience in continuing their agitation for over fifty days despite mounting pressure,” said Kejriwal.

With a projected population of nearly 8,000 to 10,000 residents, the Karapur project would introduce a population larger than that of the village itself, said Kejriwal. He also said that the project would place immense pressure on local resources, infrastructure and public amenities.

Atishi added that luxury housing projects leave local communities vulnerable with water shortages, environmental degradation and the loss of traditional livelihoods.

Referring to recent protests in Chimbel and Dharbandora, Kejriwal said that these protests reflect growing public anger against a govt that listens more to builder lobbies.