MARGAO
In a development that may ease travel from the Mopa international airport to South Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that the Goa government has requested the
Konkan railway to explore the possibility of running trains from Pernem to Cancaona for the benefit of the air passengers.
After the Mopa airport-Benaulim taxi fare stirred a hornet’s nest on the social media, The Goan had suggested why the Goa government and the Konkan railway Corporation are not exploring the possibility of utilizing the Konkan railway line, running north-South direction, to connect the Mopa airport to down South.
Incidentally, the Konkan railway Corporation had pointed out that Corporation can give a thought to running shuttle trains between Mopa and Margao and Canacona if such a proposal comes from the Goa government.
On Saturday after flagging of the government-sponsored Dev Darshan train to the Pilgrim centre of Shirdi, Chief Minister announced that the government has given a proposal to the railways to run trains between Pernem and Canacona for the benefit of the air passengers.
“The government will take whatever steps required at boosting connectivity between Mopa and South Goa. The Konkan railway can use the existing trains or put additional trains on the Pernem-Canacona stations to meet the requirements of the air passengers”, he said.
Saying that passengers disembarking at the Mopa international airport can be ferried to the Pernem railway station by a bus, the Sawant said passengers will be able to reach Canacona from Mopa within 45 minutes.
The Chief Minister said the government is committed to increase the connectivity between the Mopa International airport and South Goa for the benefit of the locals and tourists visiting the state.
Taking the platform to announce that his government has fulfilled the promises made to the people of the State, the Chief Minister said the free cylinders promised to the BPL families will soon become a reality. “The Dev Darshan tour announced by the government on the eve of the Assembly election has become a reality now. We have achieved all the promises made to the people of Goa”, he said.
