Railways asserts it can continue double-tracking, but activists say a firm ‘no’
MARGAO
Two days after the Supreme Court affirmed the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on the double-tracking project through the Western Ghats, work on the double line outside the Castlerock-Kulem section continues unabated, only throwing up a moot question – whether the Supreme court verdict empowers the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to continue ongoing work on the project outside the Castlerock-Kulem section?
A firm no came from the activists and groups waging a sustained battle against the controversial project. The RVNL, however, said the Supreme Court verdict does not bar the railways from going ahead with the ongoing work on the project outside the Castlerock-Kulem section.
The contentious question has come to the fore after villagers of Guirdolim pointed out that they spotted workers engaged in the project. Workers were seen working on a footbridge at the Chandor-Guirdolim railway station, indicating that work has not stopped on the controversial project.
After RVNL officials declined to comment on the ongoing work on the project despite the Supreme Court verdict, The Goan called up Chief Public Relations Officer, Anis Hegde, to shed light on the contentious question. Hegde asserted that the Supreme Court verdict has not barred the railways from continuing the ongoing work outside the Castlerock-Kulem section.
“Our railway officials are busy studying the Supreme Court order. It is clear that the court has revoked the approval granted by the Standing Committee of NBWL for doubling the railway line between Castlerock to Kulem. This only goes to show that the Supreme Court has only revoked the approval granted for the project between Castlerock and Kulem,” Hegde said.
Goyant Kollso Naka co-Convenor Abhijit Prabhudesai, however, has completely begged to differ. He said the railways should not interpret the order from a narrow point of view. He said the double-tracking was not ordinary work, but a linear project, passing through two states. “How can the RNVL continue the work when the approval granted by the NBWL for doubling the line between Castlerock and Kulem stands revoked.”
Can this linear project ever see the light of day in the event the railways do not get any permission in future on the controversial Castlerock-Kulem section? Abhijit questioned.
He demanded that not only the ongoing double-tracking work underway should be stopped forthwith, but the land acquisition proceedings before the Deputy Collectors should be immediately closed.
Abhijit warned that the people of Goa would take a decision and chalk out the future course of action in the event the railways continues the ongoing work at different stretches. “The people of Goa would chalk out the future course of action”, he warned.
Goencho Ekvott Convenor Creson Antao has also demanded a stop to all ongoing work on the double-tracking project, saying the railways cannot interpret the Supreme Court verdict to suit their convenience.
