BELAGAVI
The South Western Railways (SWR), which is pushing for the double-tracking of Tinaighat-Vasco section, has denied that the double-tracking project on Karnataka side of the section is on hold and claimed that clearances for the project are awaited.
The SWR has also stated that clearances for the project may be received any moment, after which the double-tracking work along the stretch is expected to commence.
However, uncertainty prevails over the implementation of double-tracking between this stretch, as SWR authorities are clueless as to when the required clearances are expected to arrive.
Responding to a report in 'The Goan', SWR Chief PRO E Vijaya stated categorically that work has not been put on hold by the National Board for Wildlife (NWBL).
“The proposal for diversion of 10.45 hectares of the first land between Tinaighat-Castlerock- Caranzol is under consideration of National Board for Wild Life clearance (NBWL),” said Vijaya.
“At a meeting of the NBWL chaired by Union Minister of Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar on July 3, this proposal was discussed in detail. It has been decided to process this proposal after clearance of National Tiger Conversation Authority (NTCA), who in turn, has sought a report from the National Wildlife Institute, Dehradun.”
Vijaya added that work would commence after receiving the report, which is likely to arrive soon.
“It is expected that the next meeting of the NBWL will take place in October, after the conclusion of the ongoing Parliament session. By then, the opinion of the NTCA is likely to be communicated,” said Vijaya, while expressing optimism that the double-tracking project would go ahead.
