Sardinha against project from Majorda to Vasco; Viriato opposes saying Sagarmala report proposes 4 tracks
South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes and ex-MP Francisco Sardinha inaugurating the walking track and CCTV camera project in Ambelim village on Thursday.
MARGAO
Outgoing South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha and incumbent MP Captain Viriato Fernandes differed in their perceptions to the controversial double tracking project.
The outgoing MP said he had no objection to the double tracking project as whole, but is vehemently opposed to the laying of the double track on the stretch from Majorda to Vasco.
With due respect to his predecessor, MP Captain Viriato said he does not agree with what ex-MP Sardinha spoke on the double tracking project, saying the study of the Sagarmala report has proposed as many as four tracks through Goa.
Both Sardinha and his successor Viriato were in Ambelim village for the inauguration of the walking track and CCTV surveillance camera projects initiated by the outgoing MP and inaugurated by the incumbent MP on Thursday.
In his address, Sardinha made an appeal to Viriato to ensure that the double track does not become a reality from Majorda to Vasco. “I had no issue with the double tracking project till Majorda. From Majorda till Vasco, the track doubling project should be shelved for the simple reason the double track will be laid in densely populated areas and close to old houses, which can collapse due to vibration. We can accept the double track line up to Majorda, but we don’t want the double line from Majorda to Vasco. I think trains can make a halt at Sanvordem to allow the train from Vasco to run on the existing track,” Sardinha said.
Viriato, in his speech, however, said that Goa will have a total of four tracks as per the Sagarmala report. “I don’t agree for double tracking project for the simple reason that the Sagarmala report has proposed four tracks in Goa. This double tracking project is only pursued with the sole objective of transporting coal. This despite the fact that the draft policy of the government says that all hazardous cargo, includes coal should be handled by the ports on the country’s eastern coast. However, the government is hell bent in pursuing coal transportation from Goa via the double tacking project when they have alternative ports in Karnataka and on the eastern coast,” Viriato asserted.
