the goan I network
MARGAO
With attempts to procure land for the double tracking project, especially on the Margao-Vasco stretch coming a cropper, the district administration on Wednesday issued a clear warning to those opposing the double tracking project that the state government is now forced to write to the Central government to issue notification invoking the compulsory land acquisition clause under the Railway Act, 1989 to acquire land for the project.
After a meeting with the railway and other officials in the district Collectorate on Wednesday, district Collector Ajit Roy issued a statement conceding that government’s efforts to obtain consent of the interested parties to the proposal of procurement of land for the Margao-Vasco track doubling project passing through Cansaulim, Pale, Issorcim, Dabolim, Chicalim and Vasco have failed despite
multiple attempts being made by the government and officials to convince the parties to give consent.
“The state government is therefore forced to write to the central government to issue a notification invoking the compulsory land acquisition under the Railway Act 1989 which shall be published shortly after obtaining government approval,” the Collector said.
Senior railway officials told The Goan that the decision to knock the doors of the Centre to invoke the compulsory land acquisition was taken against the backdrop of the fact that the prestigious Rs 3000 crore Hospet-Vasco double tracking project has not progressed forward in Goa, especially on the Margao-Vasco stretch over land issues.
Information gathered by ‘The Goan’ revealed that the Railways had sought to procure land admeasuring 26228 sq mts along the Margao-Vasco stretch, especially at Vasco, Dabolim, Chicalim, Pale, Issoricm and Cansaulim, but in vain.
Senior railway officials pointed out that the railways are already in possession of the land required for double tracking along the Margao-Majorda section but the problem over land issues has cropped up along the Majorda-Vasco section as the railways has sought to procure land admeasuring 26228 sq mts for the purpose.
Procurement of land for the double tracking project, especially on the Majorda-Vasco stretch had repeatedly coming a cropper after the project came in for strong opposition from the people led by Cortlaim MLA Alina Saldanha. In fact, Alina had been steadfast in her opposition to the procured or acquisition of additional land for the project, saying the double tracking will only destroy the ancestral houses as the line will come up close to human habitation along the course.
