VASCO
The Villagers Action Committee Against Doubling of SWR Tracks (VACAD) has disputed claims by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the number of trains and passengers currently using the route.
In a press release on Thursday, VACAD Chairperson Orville Dourado Rodrigues said Sawant had claimed there are 12 passenger trains and 6-7 goods trains currently plying on the route, in response to queries by BJP MLA Alina Saldanha.
“The time-table displayed at the Vasco Railway Station establishes the fact that in March 2020 (pre-pandemic) there were an average of 7 passenger trains (3 express and 4 local). Of the 4 local, only 2 were reinstated on December 7, 2020 until January 31, 2021 with a rider “continuation would depend on passenger turnout and people’s response”,” stated Rodrigues.
“Under such circumstances, it is disheartening to note that the South Western Railway (SWR)/Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) are yet to provide VACAD with a study to justify the doubling of the existing single track through thickly populated areas of Salcete and Mormugao talukas which are lined with heritage structures, most of which were built over 150 years ago,” said the press note.
The VACAD also disputed the chief minister’s claims that the number of passenger trains could go up to 90 with the double tracking and that, passenger flow could go up to 54,000-65,000 per day from the current 6,000-7,000 per day.
“The railway carriages are almost bereft of any passengers, with Cansaulim Railway Station earning an income of barely Rs 250 per day.”
“The manner in which the SWR/RVNL is pushing ahead with the double tracking project against the wishes of the local population will result in irreparable loss to our environment and our way of life,” the press note added.
