PANAJI
Insisting that the State government is planning infrastructure keeping in mind Goa’s needs for the next 50 years, a defiant Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday hit out at the opposition and said the BJP government is fully committed to the three linear projects.
“Our government has to have a vision and must consider the interest and future of the State and not the interests of the protestors,” said Sawant, while insisting that the government was determined to complete the railway double-tracking, National Highway passing through the Western Ghats and the Tamnar power transmission project.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Limited Height Subways at Karmal and Cacora and the Foot overbridge at Curchorem Sanvordem Railway Station constructed by South Western Railway and Railway Vikas Nigam Limited. Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, South Western Railways GM Ajay Kumar Singhand SWR officials were among those present at the event.
“There are those opposing projects for the sake of opposing them and are not even aware of the projects and their benefits. They are opposing because others tell them to do so. Some are opposing due to vested interests. Issues, if any, can be solved through discussions and not though agitations,” said Sawant.
“The government is also concerned about the environment and wildlife, but it is also pained when people die due to road mishaps along the Anmod Ghat,” said Sawant, while commenting on the national highway project through the Western ghats.
“We are planning whatever infrastructure is needed for the next 50 years. The benefit is that the same government is in the state and centre to pursue this development,” he added.
While pledging support to the three linear projects, the chief minister, however, made it clear that people should not be affected by these projects.
“We have had discussions with railway officials and they have assured to go out of the way and are even ready to rebuild houses, compound walls and other structures which are likely to get damaged due to the double-tracking project.”
“They said they would rehabilitate the affected people by providing them space at the side,” said Sawant.
He reiterated that the double-tracking is not in the interest of coal and would benefit other cargo and activities.
“This double-tracking is not in the interest of coal. We have begun efforts to bring other commodities to the MPT. We need to tap the MPT for various pharma exports and different imports, tourism activities like ropeway, etc.”
Rlys ready to rebuild homes of
affected Pale locals: Sawant
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said railway authorities were ready to acquire land by the side and build new houses for owners of those 8-10 houses in Pale who do not have proper access.
“I had inspected the affected places along with Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha in her Cortalim constituency. I admit there are some difficulties facing locals, but we need to discuss these issues across the table with the government and railway authorities,” said Sawant, while reiterating that protests and objections were not the way forward.
“It is not possible for people to cross the railway tracks, but it is the government’s duty to find a solution for them. There are about 8-10 houses in Pale which do not have proper access. The railway authorities are ready to acquire land by the side and build new houses for them and the government will insist on this,” he added.
Sanvordem, Curchorem
to be developed: CM
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the twin cities of Sanvordem and Curchorem would be developed with innovative infrastructural projects in the coming future.
Speaking after inaugurating the Limited Height Subways at Karmal and Cacora and the Foot overbridge at Curchorem Sanvordem Railway Station, Sawant reiterated the efforts by the Government to meet the infrastructural needs of the people.
According to officials, both subways at Kamral and Khadiwada inaugurated on Sunday were long-pending demands as villagers were facing hardships regarding vehicular access.
Power Minister Nilesh Cabral said the people of Curchorem never opposed railway line doubling project as they understood the benefits of the project.
He added that the people of Curchorem constituency are ready with open arms to welcome the IIT Project and urged the government to consider their demand.
