MARGAO
Appealing to the people to welcome the double-tracking project, Union Minister for Ports Shripad Naik on Monday batted for the double-tracking project saying it would usher in the development of the country.
Saying that track-doubling would bring in a whole lot of benefits, Shripad said the pollution aspects raised by the people should be taken into account and the project must be executed for the development of the country.
“There is a single track in place, and the plan is to lay a second track. We have seen that Goan highways were once congested, not allowing the movement of two vehicles. Now with widened highways, six vehicles will be able to travel, which will save fuel as well as time. We may lose one thing but will benefit in 10 other ways,” he said.
When the media pointed out whether it’s fair to destroy Goa by allowing the double-tracking project just for the benefit of two coal corporates, Shripad said the track-doubling project is being executed by the railways for the country’s development.
“The project will bring a host of benefits. We have the Port Authority, whose business will increase manifold after track doubling,” he said.
Shripad added: “Everywhere there is double-tracking and which has brought in the development. I feel people should accept the project. The government will take pollution aspects into consideration.”
Cases against protesters:
Union Minister vows to
take up issue with Centre
MARGAO:
Union Minister Shripad Naik on Monday said he would take up the issue of withdrawal of cases slapped by the Union of India against the people who had participated in the 2020 Chandor agitation against the track doubling project.
When the media questioned him over the demand in many quarters for the withdrawal of criminal cases slapped against the protestors by the Indian railways, Shripad said he would pursue the matter with the Centre and the Ministry of Railways.
“Participation in an agitation is the right of the people. I will check with the railways over the cases filed against the protestors. This government listens to the voice of the people. I will personally find out from the Ministry of Railways about the cases. There have been instances in the past when cases against protestors were withdrawn,” he said while favouring withdrawal of the cases.
Four anti-track doubling protestors, Abhijit Prabhudesai, Diana Tavares, Vikas Bhagat and Freddy Travasso have been charged by the railway police for participating in the 2020 agitation at the Chandor railway station against the double-tracking project.
