CANACONA
The Gandhidam-Nagercoil Express train (16336) on Wednesday became the second long-distance train to resume its halt at Canacona KRC Railway Station.
The Netravati Express already began a halt at Canacona since April 2, after the Ministry of Railways accepted the persistent demands of Canacona locals and sanctioned the halts of two of the three long-distance trains in Canacona.
At a brief function, Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar flagged off the weekly Gandhidham-Nagercoil express which arrived at about 10 am on Wednesday, after an extended 5-minute halt at Canacona Railway Station.
Others present on the occasion included Forum for Senior Citizens of Canacona President Guilherme Martins and other members, CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaonkar, social worker and GCCI Vice-President Shamba Naik Dessai, BJP Mandal (Canacona) President Viushal Dessai, BJP Vice President (South) Mahesh Naik, Khotigao Sarpanch Anandu Dessai, CMC Vice Chairperson Laxuman Pagui and Councillor Gandesh Madgavkar.
Following the Covid pandemic, the Railways had stopped the halts of three long-distance trains at Canacona railway station.
Demands for the resumption of these halts were made by members of Forum for Senior Citizens of Canacona, Congress activists, Canacona Jagruth Samitee and others.
They even launched an agitation under the banner of Canacona Railway Stop Bachao Action Committee and marched to the railway station, gheraoed railway officials and observed a one-day sit-in hunger strike at Canacona Railway Station.
The BJP Block and the Canacona Muncipal Council had also requested Tawadkar to pursue the matter with railway officials in Delhi.
Meanwile, Canacona Railway Stop Bachao Action Committee Coordinator Janardhan S Bhandari said people in Canacona finally got justice following the resumption of halts of long-distance trains at Canacona.
“Members of Swabhimani Jagruth Canconkar, Senior Citizens of Canacona, “Vision & Mission…Progressive Canacona”, Jana Sena Warriors, Canacona Patrakar Sangh, Goenkar (NGO) and other concerned citizens of Canacona played a major role is getting their rightful demand,” stated Bhandari in a statement.
“Because the people of Canacona had fought together, the government had no option but to bow before the wishes of the people. We expect the halt of Matsyagandha Express will also be resumed soon. We also want the Tickets/Seat Quota for Canacona Station and operation of a Reservation Counter at Canacona Railway Station to start very soon,” he added.
