MARGAO
A day after the High Court dismissed the petition filed by the residents of Chandor under the banner of Ganv Gavancho Ekvott against the double tracking project, the petitioners now brace up to challenge the High Court order before the Supreme Court.
Activists wondered if Section 11 of the Railways Act exempts the Railways from obtaining permission from the authorities, why has the Supreme Court asked the Railways to seek permission from the Wild Life Board again.
Expressing disappointment over the High Court dismissing the petition, petitioner Felix Furtado told The Goan that the Ganv Gavancho Ekvott will knock the doors of the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court order as well as Section 11 of the Railways Act.
Felix pointed out the Railways Act does not exempt the Railways from obtaining permission from various departments, such as the Goa Coastal Zone Management Act, Water Resources Department, Panchayats, TCP department, etc.
“We had petitioned to the High Court on the premise that the double tracking work should be stopped on grounds the Railways has not taken the permission from the local authorities and hence the work is illegal,” Felix said.
He demanded to know whether Section 11 of the Railways Act gives the right to the Railways to go ahead with the work without taking the permissions from the local authorities. “We have still not got a copy of the High Court order. We will study the order and then move the Supreme Court to challenge it,” he said.
Activists pointed out that they will challenge the validity of Section 11 of the Railways Act before the Supreme Court since the Railways too should have concern for the environment and the ecology.
A noted activist informed that since the Railways are mandated to obtain clearance from the Wild Life Board and the Forests before taking up work in the forest and wildlife areas, they should also be mandated to obtain permissions from other authorities as well.
