PANAJI
Former forest minister and Cortalim MLA, Alina Saldanha has dismissed the claims of current legislator Anton Vas of a solution to the railway double-tracking imbroglio simply by shifting the second track towards the eastern side as having no validity.
“There is only one solution which is what villagers have been asking for and the CEC of the Supreme Court of India has stated in its report -- South Goa cannot sustain the second track,” Saldanha said in a statement.
The former minister said Vas has to show the area available on the eastern side of the existing track in Arossim, Cansaulim, Velsao, etc., and explain the possibility of moving the track to that side.
“As far as I know, the MDR road lies on the eastern side and has house on either side. The Health Centre, constructed during my tenure is also there,” Saldanha said, adding that rules require control on sound pollution around medical facilities.
Saldanha also questioned how would the coal dust pollution and high decibel sound of the trains be stalled by simply shifting the second track to the eastern side.
“It appears the MLA is disregarding the pollution and noise levels which will increase multiple fold destroying the lives of the people and environment of the State known all over the world as the pearl of the Orient,” Saldanha said.
“It is the responsibility of the government and Vas (who has donned the mantle of its spokesman) to ensure that the second track is cancelled,” Saldanha said, adding that Goa should not be treated as a corridor for the benefit of bigger States to the North and the South.
