the goan I network
VASCO
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and villagers of Cansaulim, Pale, Velsao and Issorcim on Friday reiterated their objection to the proposal of doubling of the South Western Railway (SWR) tracks.
Saldanha and a group of locals made their intentions clear at a joint meeting convened with affected landowners at the office of Mormugao Deputy Collector. South Goa Collector Ajit Roy, Mormugao Deputy Collector Paresh Faldessai and the SWR officials were present at the joint meeting.
After a prolonged discussion, SWR officials said they would not take up the project if it is opposed by the people. “We have shown the site plan and all other aspects, but people are objecting to it. If they don’t want to part with their land, it is okay. Under a new law we can acquire land only after consent of landowners,” said M N Naik, a railway official.
Later speaking to reporters, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said the proposed doubling of tracks would destroy houses of people in Cansaulim, some of which have heritage value.
“Increased frequency of trains will lead to noise pollution and more so there will be dust pollution causing serious health problems,” she said.
Another villager, Jose Saldanha, said that his ancestral house of 450 years will have to face the brunt of double tracking.
Another local, Rahul Barbosa, said the project was not for the benefit of passengers, but transportation of cargo.
“We have in-principle objected to the doubling of tracks,” said Barbosa.
Jose Pereira insisted that those objecting to the doubling project were not anti-nationals. “We are more concerned about our health and of our children and grandchildren. Nobody wants to breathe the dust from hazardous cargo which is likely to be transported by trains after the doubling,” said Pereira.
Goenchea Ramponnkarancho Ekvott (GRE) Vice-president Olencio Simoes warned that people would be forced to agitate if the proposed double tacking was not cancelled immediately.
“Neither the Deputy Collector nor railway officials could give satisfactory answers on why the doubling of tracks was required. At the last public hearing, the EIA reports had said double tracking was required to transport cargo.”
“Today nine trains carry around 36,000 tonnes of cargo from the port via the existing tracks. When a truck with 10 tonnes of cargo moves on Borim bridge, the bridge vibrates. We can imagine what would be the impact on houses when trains loaded with cargo move on the doubled tracks.”
