PANAJI
The South Western Railway (SWR) at Hubballi has claimed that the Hospet-Vasco double-track line has not been fully commissioned, a claim which had been made by the Union Railway Ministry on its social media handle on Sunday and was subsequently deleted on Wednesday.
Referring to The Goan report ‘Railways announce commissioning of Hospet-Vasco double-track line’ on Monday, SWR Chief PRO Dr Manjunath Kanamadi admitted that while 312 kms of the total 363 kms have been commissioned, the remaining sections are still pending due to various factors, including land acquisition and forest clearances.
“Therefore, the project has not been fully commissioned,” stated Dr Kanamadi.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the double-tracking project is intended to facilitate tourism development and the faster, more efficient movement of existing freight, including coal. This will be done in a manner that reduces incidental pollution by decreasing the exposure time of the cargo.”
The Union Railway Ministry on Sunday had announced the commissioning of the 312 km Hospet-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco Da Gama South Western Railway line doubling project, which, according to them, would speed up the transportation of iron ore, coal and steel, apart from boosting tourism in Goa and Hampi.
The Ministry, on its social media handle, had announced the commissioning of a total of 312 kms of the 363 km line.
According to sources, the work has been completed in the Karnataka region, while Goa is pending due to forest clearance, as the line passes through the protected areas of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.
Incidentally, the Railway Ministry on Wednesday deleted its message on X, which had been posted on Sunday, following backlash from the opposition, who alleged that the railway double-tracking project was aimed at expanding coal-handling capacity.
