PANAJI
A day after announcing the acquisition of 0.6 ha (6,000 sq mts) of additional land in South Goa for coal handling, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) on Tuesday clarified the land is solely for stabilization, access and alignment correction.
In a statement issued through the Chief Minister's Office, the RVNL denied any capacity expansion of coal transportation.
“The limited acquisition of 0.6 ha initiated by the Ministry of Railways in Cansaulim, Sancoale and Issorcim villages is solely for banking/ stabilisation support to safeguard nearby houses, provision of road access to land owners, and correction of alignment mismatches identified in earlier surveys,” it said adding, “the project will facilitate tourism development and the faster movement of existing freight, including coal, in a manner that reduces incidental pollution by decreasing exposure time. It is further reiterated that no capacity expansion of coal transportation will be permitted in the State.”
The Indian Railways on Monday announced acquiring more 6,000 (approx) square metres of land in the three villages with public feedback being sought.
The public notice stated that the land is to be acquired with or without structure, falling within the proposed special railway project of Hospet-Tinaighat-Vasco-da-Gama doubling in the State of Goa.
