the goan I network
MARGAO
With Indian Railways’ double tracking project having hit a block in Goa for want of land, Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi on Wednesday threatened to take the ambitious double tracking project of the Castle Rock-Vasco line to some other state if the Goa government fails to make available the required land.
Angadi’s statement assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of the fact that while the Indian railways is in need of around 150 acres of land for the double tracking project in Goa, the railways have till date managed to receive only 2.5 acres in its possession.
The Union Minister, who was in Margao to launch infrastructure works at the Margao railway station and to hoist the National Flag at the station premises, was blunt in saying that the double tracking project has hit a block for want of land.
In fact, during his brief address, Angadi made a fervent plea to Chief Minster Pramod Sawant to make available the land to facilitate
commencement of the work, making it clear that the project will go to some other place for want of land. He also made a request to Union Ayush Minister and North Goa MP Shripad Naik and Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat, who was seated on the dais, to use their good offices to get the land for the double tracking project and help expedite the work.
Angadi later told the media that land acquisition falls in the domain of the state government, adding that the double tracking project can be taken to the logical conclusion in Goa if the state government makes available the land.
When a scribe pointed out to the Union Minister that the
Railways is already in possession of land, which can be used for the double tracking project, Angadi said the available land is not sufficient to meet the double tracking project requirements. South Western Railway General Manager AK Singh, who was with the Union Minister, told the media that while the Indian Railways has sought 150 acres for double tracking, the Railways has only secured 2.5 acres till date.
Saying that former Union Railway Minister Piyush Goel had in the past pursued the matter with the Goa government, Angadi informed that he had held discussions with state officials, exuding confidence that the local government would help make available the land for the double tracking project.
When the media pointed out that the double tracking project is being opposed by the local populace on grounds that the ambitious project is being pushed by the government to facilitate coal transportation, Angadi insisted that double tracking will trigger economy activity. “Whether the double tracking line will facilitate movement of coal or passengers, it is going to give a boost for the economy. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaee had invested funds in the roads and people all over the country are enjoying the road infrastructure,” he said, adding that the pollution aspect can be addressed by taking measures a la ban on plastic bags.
