the goan I network
PANAJI
Affirming that railways would never be privatised and would remain with the government, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the railways has plans to electrify all trains along the Goa route in the next three years.
Addressing a news conference in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s constituency of Sakhali to launch the BJP membership drive in the State, Goyal said the electrification of all trains along the Mumbai-Margao line would first be taken up in one-and-half years.
“After electrification, there will be less pollution and the speed of trains would also increase, thereby cutting down the time limit between Mumbai and Margao,” said Goyal.
The total cost of the project is set to be Rs 11 crore, the union minister said.
Stating that 10 loop lines would be constructed along the Mumbai-Margao rail route, the union minister also stated that there would be no double track along the route in Goa.
He also informed that there would be a Rs 1.6 lakh crore capital investment in the railways this year.
The union minister also said the Centre is very keen on resuming mining activity in Goa.
“A Goa-specific solution is needed and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and leaders have had several meeting with the central leaders in this direction,” said Goyal.
Goyal recalled former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar’s contribution to the party and described him as a very good karyakarta who did a lot for the party.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar, BJP General Secretary Sadanand Shet Tanawade, BJP General Secretary and former MP Narendra Sawaikar and other leaders were also present at the press conference.
