With no flyovers at key crossings, locals fear worsening congestion with rise in freight traffic
Over 70 passenger and freight trains run daily through Salcete.
MARGAO
As the stage is finally set for the commissioning of the Hospet–Vasco double-track line, Indian Railways anticipates a significant boost in the transportation of coal, iron ore, and steel, along with tourism connectivity between Goa and Hampi.
However, for residents of the densely populated villages and towns along the Salcete stretch, the development offers little to celebrate. Apart from fears raised over coal dust pollution, the doubling of the track is expected to increase the number of both freight and passenger trains, leading to more frequent closures of railway crossings and causing severe disruptions to local road traffic.
Despite concerns raised by environmentalists and social activists regarding the ecological impact of the project, Indian Railways has continued to push ahead with the track doubling. The promised infrastructure upgrades — such as flyovers and road-over-bridges at major crossings in Salcete — remain incomplete or absent altogether.
Consider this: Data from Konkan Railway Corporation indicates that a total of 70 trains (excluding special trains) currently operate daily on the Margao tracks of the Konkan Railway line. These include 52 passenger trains and 17 freight trains.
Resultantly, railway crossings at Seraulim, Majorda, Margao, Davorlim, besides Sarzora and Nessai, are closed for traffic over 52 times each day — bringing vehicular movement in these densely populated areas to a virtual standstill.
There is growing concern that this situation will only worsen once the new double-track line is fully operational. With Indian Railways investing thousands of crores into the project, the expectation is clear: a significant increase in the frequency of coal-laden freight trains bound for the hinterland from the port town of Vasco.
Where are the flyovers?
The issue that may come to haunt the local residents is: when will long-promised flyovers at key railway crossings — such as Comba in Margao, Seraulim, Majorda, Davorlim, Nessai, and Sarzora — finally materialise?
Ironically, Indian Railways did not have to invest in laying a new double track between Margao and Majorda, since that stretch was already double-tracked by the Konkan Railway. Despite this cost saving, local authorities have made no visible effort to leverage their position or coordinate with the Centre to ensure that parallel infrastructure — namely flyovers — is built to ease residents’ woes.
Around a decade and a half ago, the Konkan Railway Corporation had proposed a cost-sharing arrangement with the Goa government to construct flyovers at Margao and Seraulim. That proposal, however, has seemingly been lost in bureaucratic red tape, with no updates or actions taken since.
As the double-track line nears commissioning, authorities and the government may face mounting pressure to prioritise the interests of local communities who bear the brunt of the project’s fallout. Without immediate action to construct flyovers and improve crossing infrastructure, the promise of progress may turn into a daily ordeal for the people of Salcete.
Comba crossing: Margao’s choke point
It is often said that when trains run on the Konkan Railway tracks, the western part of Margao comes to a standstill. The reason? The Comba railway crossing — a vital arterial link in the city — is shut for vehicular traffic nearly 70 times a day to allow trains to pass.
An underpass, constructed over 15 years ago just a few metres from the crossing, has failed to meet the demands of the city’s growing population and rising vehicle count.
Importantly, Comba serves as Margao’s educational hub, home to institutions catering to students from kindergarten to post-graduate levels. The frequent closures at the railway crossing severely disrupt daily commutes for thousands of students, teachers, and residents.
About a year ago, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat proposed two infrastructure upgrades to ease traffic congestion along the ring road, particularly from the Comba railway crossing to the Cine Lata area. While the Victor Hospital–La Flor flyover has received approval from the Centre, the status of any solution for the Comba crossing remains unclear.
With a sharp rise in freight train traffic expected following the commissioning of the double-track line, concerns are mounting. According to sources, construction of a flyover would take a minimum of two years — if work were to begin immediately. Until then, residents fear that crossing Comba will become a daily ordeal.
Waterlogged Seraulim underpass
To address the frequent closure of the Seraulim railway crossing, the State government built a road underpass just a few metres from the tracks. Unfortunately, the underpass has turned into a perennial water trap, rendering it virtually unusable for most of the year.
Multiple resolutions adopted by the Seraulim village gram sabha, urging the government and Indian Railways to construct a flyover near the existing underpass, have gone unanswered. With train frequency expected to increase significantly under the double-tracking plan, traffic issues at the Seraulim crossing are set to worsen, exacerbating local frustrations.
Davorlim and Nessai: Stalled promises
The hardships faced by residents of Davorlim due to the lack of a flyover at the railway crossing even reached Parliament, after Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade raised the issue during a session. This prompted a site inspection by Tanavade and BJP Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar for a first-hand assessment of the ground situation.
Enquiries by The Goan reveal that the Davorlim stretch falls under the Konkan Railway’s jurisdiction, and there is no active proposal for a flyover at the site. Notably, former Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had laid a foundation stone for a flyover at Davorlim nearly a decade ago. However, the project came to a halt due to a lack of available land for approach roads.
As far as the Nessai railway crossing is concerned, sources indicate that the South Western Railway has initiated a proposal to construct a flyover at the railway crossing. While this offers a glimmer of hope, no timelines or formal approvals have been announced, leaving residents in continued uncertainty.
