MARGAO
Saying the Goa government should not bulldoze with the controversial projects such as the track doubling, transmission lines and expansion of MPT port, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Saturday demanded that the government should conduct a detailed study of the implications of these projects before taking a decision.
Saying that he will also take up these issues with the centre, Sardinha, however, reminded that “many a time an MP from the opposition is a voice in the wilderness”.
“The government should listen and lend its ears to the people objecting to these projects. The local government should not give its go-ahead signal just because the centre is pushing these projects,” he said.
Flanked by South Goa District Congress president Joe Dias, the MP told the media that the MPT is only working to boost its revenues and is not at all concerned about the people of Goa.
He said the transmission lines project will destroy large tracts of forest land which will result in loss of flora and fauna.
The South Goa MP urged the government to focus on job opportunities in the Department of Posts and railway undertakings, including the Konkan railway and South Western railways.
When the media drew his attention to the fact that the double-tracking and other projects are all being pursued with the centre, Sardinha said the state government comes into play on the question of land acquisition.
“A voice of an opposition MP many a time is a voice in the wilderness. Let the state government send a proposal to the Centre objecting to these projects and I will also do the follow-up,” he added.
