THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Reiterating her firm stand against doubling of tracks, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Tuesday said she was one of the objectors against the land acquisition for the proposed railway overbridge by the South Western Railway (SWR) at Cansaulim.
"I will raise an objection before the Mormugao dy collector against the acquisition of my land for the proposed railway overbridge because this bridge is part of the plan for doubling of tracks.”
“I am totally against the doubling of tracks because people along the present alignment of the tracks would be miserable and the project would destroy our Goan heritage, while also making our houses landlocked," said Saldanha.
Saldanha clarified that the railway overbridge proposed by her husband late Matanhy Saldanha as Cortalim MLA in 2004 and the present railway overbridge proposed by SWR were different projects.
“The railway overbridge proposed by my husband had no links with doubling of tracks. He had proposed a railway overbridge at Railway Crossing 25 specifically to benefit people. Many times, people and especially patients in ambulances would get stuck at the railway crossing. The railway overbridge proposed then had no links with double-tracking,” said Saldanha.
The Cortalim MLA recalled that when her late husband had suggested a railway overbridge, he had himself frozen his own private land in the market area.
“Till date, that land remains frozen. We had several meetings with people, the collector and even former CM late Manohar Parrikar for this railway overbridge. One reason why Matanhy had proposed the railway overbridge then was that if it had to come up, the widening of road would not happen and houses would be safe," said Saldanha.
"Matanhy had proposed the railway overbridge for public benefit and the issue of doubling was not there at the time. Now, SWR has proposed a new railway overbridge to assist the doubling of tracks. I will never support any proposal or project that is linked with doubling of tracks. As far as doubling of tracks is concerned, there is no gain but only pain all along for the people," said Saldanha.
