PANAJI
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee on Thursday criticised the Railway Budget 2016 presented by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and termed it as ‘a non-Goan, glitzy eyewash of a railway budget’.
In a statement issued to the media, GPCC genral secretary and spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar stated:
“As always, despite Goa being the key railway hub on Konkan coast, the Railway Minister has ignored its demands and necessities yet again, nothing special for Goa. In this railway budget both Lok Sabha MP’s of BJP and one Goan Rajya Sabha MP representing UP also of BJP have failed to bring any benefits to the state despite being part of the Union government.
GPCC congratulated the Union Railway Minister for “taking up on priority the provision of passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centers including Vasco” but sought to know which place of religious significance is near Vasco.
“Goa’s biggest tourism centers are situated at Old Goa and Ponda tourism circuit and if any station that needed to be developed should have been either at Karmali or at Verna Railway Station. Can the Railway Minister explain the logic behind this absurd decision?” Kawthankar said.
Congress observed that no mention was made of when railway lines in Goa will be electrified, construction of a road over-bridge at Chandor and another one at Seraulim and no assurances were made to create an alternative route to the proposed Tinai Ghat “ Vasco da Gama doubling of track that would leave hundreds of homes displaced and affect some of the most eco-sensitive areas of Velsao, Pale, Cansaulim, Majorda, and Seraulim.
Congress also demanded to know why the Sarathi Seva in Konkan Railway, which helps old and disabled passengers requiring assistance, is not available at all Goa’s stations.
Minister’s claims that products made by Self Help Groups (SHGs) consisting mainly of women and youth have been promoted by Konkan Railway were also questioned. Congress sought to know how many of the Goan Self Help Groups have benefitted.
