PANAJI
In a development that could trigger protests again, an award specifying land acquired for the controversial double-tracking project between Collem and Vasco of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) was issued on Saturday in the media by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Deputy Collector) of Mormugao, Ravishekar Nipanikar.
According to Nipanikar's notice, a total compensation of Rs 101.61 crore is to be paid for the 46,000-odd square meters of land, both with and without structures on it, so acquired for the railway double-tracking project.
The doubling track work between Hospet and Vasco has come in for stiff opposition on the Goa stretch as it is suspected to be catering to creating a coal transportation corridor between Mormugao port and north Karnataka.
Interestingly, the agitation against the double-tracking project as well as two other projects led to the intervention of the Supreme Court as environment clearances granted to these projects which cut through large portions of protected forests in the Mollem National Park and the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary came in question.
The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) red-flagged the environmental clearances and the Apex Court also struck them down.
It has, however, kept a window open for the authorities to re-apply for the environmental clearances even as the CEC has questioned the double-tracking project's economic justification and has termed it "unjustified" in light of the destruction to wildlife habitat it will cause.
