PANAJI
Goa's greens fiercely opposing the double-tracking project of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) on grounds that it will increase quantum of coal transported, suffered a severe setback with the land acquisition award passed by the Mormugao sub-divisional magistrate overruling several objections.
All the objections raised citing coal related environmental reasons were summarily rejected in passing the award related to nearly one hectare of land in Curchorem, Cacora, Savordem, Xelvona, St Jose de Areal, Chandor, Girdolim, Velsao and Issorcim.
The project involves doubling of the existing South Central Railway track between Hospet and Vasco-da-Gama via Hubli and Tinaighat. It is one of three linear projects which saw massive protests in 2020-21 after the National Board for Wildlife gave its nod despite massive diversion of forests in and around the protected Mollem National Park and the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary. The project also affects the Bhimgad tiger reserve in Karnataka.
Interestingly, the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court of India had in its report questioned the very justification for the railway double-tracking project and recommended that the railways be directed to drop it.
The land, according to the award, is to be acquired by the Ministry of Railways South Western Railway (Construction Organisation) under the Railway Act, 1989 for doubling the track on the stretch between Kulem and Vasco-da-Gama.
The Mormugao SDO was designated as the 'Competent Authority' and the award he has passed briefly describes the land to be acquired as "with or without" structure, besides the compensation which is to be paid to the owners.
The railways claim that over 75% of the nearly 352.85 kilometer track-doubling project between Hospet and Vasco is completed and its total cost of Rs 3692.60 crore is being borne by the ministry.
Nearly 20 objections on environmental grounds were filed before the Mormugao SDO but all of them were rejected. Some of the objections were related to the argument that track-doubling will lead to increase in the quantum of coal being transported between the Mormugao port and North Karnataka.
While some of the objections were summarily rejected, the others were given a hearing but the SDO ruled that the issues raised were not in the ambit of his mandate as 'competent authority' for land acquisition under the railways law.
Meanwhile, activists opposing the project have accused the government of following "anarchic methods" to facilitate the double-tracking project by RVNL which they alleged is violating all State laws and private properties are being trespassed to carry out work.
"RVNL has bypassed all State laws in carrying out work even in private properties. We are now governed not by democracy but anarchy all for the transportation of coal of Adani," Olencio Simoes of the Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott and a prominent anti-railway track doubling activist, said.
