PANAJI
The fate of the railway double-tracking, one of the three controversial linear projects cutting through protected forests in and around Mollem, may be out on Monday with the Supreme Court of India expected to rule on the recommendation to scrap it submitted by its own fact-finding Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
The project is one among three, aside from the Tamnar Power Project and the expansion of a national highway, which have been challenged before the Apex court for alleged violation of Wildlife protection and Forest laws.
The CEC had submitted its report recommending that the railway double tracking project be scrapped in April last year after conducting extensive site inspections and holding deliberations with stakeholders, including environmentalists.
It recommended complete cancellation of the double-tracking of the railway line from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa.
Environmentalists and Goa's civil society has led an intense year-long campaign protesting against the projects alleging potential destruction in Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.
