VASCO
Former Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Tuesday requested authorities to scrap the double-tracking project and drop the land acquisition process as the project was not feasible.
Saldanha was speaking to reporters after arriving at the Mormugao Deputy Collector office along with fellow AAP leader Valmiki Naik and other residents of the Velsao-Cansaulim belt to submit a memorandum in this connection.
However, since the Deputy Collector was not available, the AAP leaders will submit the memorandum on Wednesday afternoon.
"The Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) reports states that the double-tracking project is not feasible and the Supreme Court has in its report mentioned 12 suggestions, of which 7 suggestions are on doubling of tracks outside the eco-sensitive areas.”
“The Supreme Court has also taken a stand that this project is not feasible and mentioned that there is no urgent need for doubling of tracks in Goa. I want to ask the government whether they have done a detailed study of the impact of this project on the lives of people and the environment," said Saldanha.
The former MLA said the government had not shown any concern towards the people and added that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had visited the tracks for a site inspection after her request.
“I remember the CM was shocked to see the proposed position of the second track, which was landing inside the compound of many houses," said Saldanha.
"The Supreme Court has said authorities have failed to provide any substantial basis for the need of the second track. When the Apex Court has said that Goa can do without a second track, why are we pushing it despite knowing that it can cause so much destruction? A bigger state like Karnataka can contain this project and Goa is only being used as a corridor for the benefit of the bigger states," said Saldanha.
Govt is biggest land grabber: AAP
VASCO:
AAP leader Valmiki Naik has claimed that while the State government is investigating land grabbing cases, the biggest land grabbing is being done by the government itself in the name of double-tracking.
"The government must immediately stop this land acquisition process because it is illegal and against the reports of the CEC and Supreme Court, which states this project is not required in Goa and the requirements of this project can be fulfilled by other ports in India.”
