VASCO
Several locals, taximen and other related businessmen in Vasco expressed outrage over stoppage of trains to and from the Vasco railway station during the peak tourism season.
MMC councillor Vinod Kinlekar said tourist taxi operators have been struggling for business.
“The rickshaw, taxi and pilots are dependent on the trains but the trains have stopped coming to Vasco station, especially in December which is the peak of tourism season,” said Kinlekar, while speaking to reporters at the Vasco Railway Station.
“If the trains are stopped during this time, it will affect the livelihoods of people. We have no issues of works being taken up, but we request them to take works post January or February and to allow trains to come in December, which is the peak tourism season,” said Kinlekar.
Former MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut said Vasco has only become a washing centre of trains.
“We have seen that many trains have stopped and we hear that the main reason is some works being carried out due to double tracking. However, it is sad to see that the works have only affected passenger trains which have stopped coming to Vasco while coal-laden trains are still moving to and from the port.”
“How can the works only affect passenger trains while coal trains continue to operate and this makes us wonder if Vasco Railway Station is only meant for washing of trains at the last destination,” said Raut.
