Despite Central policy to eliminate level crossings, commuters brace for longer delays as train traffic set to increase
File photo of school children crossing the tracks to make it to the schools when the level crossing is closed for traffic.
MARGAO
The Indian Railways may proudly claim to have completed the track doubling project on the Hospet-Vasco route, aimed at facilitating the transportation of coal and ore, while also giving a boost to tourism.
However, the double-engine BJP government at the Centre and in Goa now faces a contentious question: Why were flyovers and road over bridges (ROBs) not constructed on the Salcete section of the line as part of the track doubling project, especially when Indian Railways itself has recommended the elimination of level crossings during the execution of doubling or multi-tracking projects?
It has been over three years since the Railway Ministry unveiled a nationwide policy for the elimination of level crossings on broad gauge lines. This policy is particularly relevant to Goa, given that the Ministry clearly stated in its circular that all level crossings must be eliminated while executing doubling or multi-tracking works.
This raises an important question: Why was no provision made in the track doubling project for construction of flyovers or road bridges at key railway crossings in the Salcete region—specifically at Davorlim, Comba-Margao, Seraulim, and Majorda?
To date, barring the Chandor level crossing—which has been closed to vehicular traffic following the construction of a road over bridge and underpass—no other ROBs or flyovers have been built along the Salcete section of the route. The crossings at Davorlim, Margao, Seraulim, and Majorda remain untouched by such infrastructure improvements.
Sources familiar with the matter reveal that a Railway agency has been assigned the task of constructing a flyover at Nessai in Sao Jose de Areal. However, as of now, there appears to be no provision or plan for similar projects at the other key crossings along the route passing through Salcete.
Need for flyovers along the Salcete section is all the more important since the number of freight trains are expected to increase considerably once the track doubling project is completed by 2027. It is feared that increased frequency of additional trains will only mean closure of the level crossings for vehicular traffic, throwing traffic out of gear. “If the track doubling project is expected to be completed by March 2027, the Indian Railways and the Goa government should set in motion the process for construction of flyovers along the Salcete stretch of the track right now,” sources added.
Officials flag implementation gap in Salcete flyover plans
MARGAO: Railway officials point out that agencies like Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) or others can very well undertake the construction of flyovers in Salcete—provided the double-engine BJP government at the Centre and in Goa intervenes to clear the hurdles that have so far come in the way of the stalled flyovers.
Unlike the rest of the double tracking project, the stretch from Davorlim to Majorda in Salcete falls under the jurisdiction of the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC). Since the KRC had already completed the double tracking from Margao to Majorda nearly two decades ago, this particular section was excluded from the current track doubling initiative.
However, Railway sources emphasise that nothing prevents the Railways from taking up the construction of flyovers at key level crossings in Salcete—namely at Davorlim, Margao, Seraulim, and Majorda—even though these fall under the Konkan Railway route.
Notably, although RVNL was not required to lay tracks between Margao and Majorda due to the pre-existing double line, the Indian Railways is believed to have made significant savings on the overall project cost. These saved funds, officials argue, could easily be redirected to finance the construction of flyovers and road overbridges in Salcete.
A senior Railway official questioned the continued delay in resolving the flyover issue, especially given that the track doubling project is nearing completion and the same party is in power both at the Centre and in Goa.
“This is not a major issue—it’s simply a matter of sanctioning funds and appointing an agency to execute the work. Funding is not the problem here. The issue can be sorted out if Chief Minister Pramod Sawant convenes a joint meeting with officials from South Western Railway, Konkan Railway Corporation, and the State government. And if any hurdles still remain, the Goa government can escalate the matter to the Railway Ministry and obtain the necessary approvals for construction,” the official added.
