VASCO
Stating that elected representatives must always ensure welfare of the State and its people, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Tuesday called upon fellow legislators to ascertain the benefits and adverse effects of the proposed double-tracking between Mollem and Vasco.
She was reacting to Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi’s statement about the benefits of Karnataka due to doubling of SWR tracks.
“Karnataka needs this development and its size can definitely accommodate this and much more, the state being 51.8 times longer in comparison to Goa.”
“However, the union minister makes no mention, whatsoever, of the adverse effects this project will have upon the tiny state of Goa,” said Saldanha in a press release.
“It is high time our elected representatives learn from their counterparts in other states on how to ensure the welfare of the state they represent and that of the people who have elected them to power,” said Saldanha.
“It is time Goan legislators take a leaf from Angadi’s book and enumerate the benefits of SWR’s proposed double-tracking between Mollem and Vasco.”
“The people of Goa need to know the advantages of double-tracking that will be accrued to the people of Goa, besides the destruction of the environment, coal dust pollution that will further lead to pulmonary disorders, destruction of people’s houses and destruction of Goa’s heritage,” said Saldanha.
Claiming that if connectivity is the main benefit, the Cortalim MLA said the existing track which is presently underutilised is more than adequate for the needs of Goa, as people of Goa hardly travel by rail on this route.
“If coal transportation is the main reason for the double-tracking, which it is, then it is clear that the Goa government does not care for the very same people who have elected it to power as this pollution will eventually lead to destruction of people’s health,” said Saldanha.
“Further, I cannot fathom why Karnataka’s interest always prevails over the interest of the tiny state of Goa, whether it is the issue of diversion of the Mhadei river water despite the fact that Karnataka has seven fresh water rivers or whether it is widening of NH4A where Karnataka has objected and prevented the widening of the route in its sector.”
“The Goa government has given a go-ahead to this road-widening work, irrespective of the massive destruction of flora and fauna, besides threats to the livelihood of people living within the wildlife sanctuary and the national park,” said Saldanha.
“Elected representatives in Goa must come up with alternatives, both for connectivity and transportation of coal. Goa cannot be used as a corridor for the benefit of bigger states. It is the duty of every elected member to protect the state he/she represents, irrespective of whether the MLA is in the ruling or in the opposition,” Saldanha added.
