PANJIM: Power and Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Tuesday said that electrification of railways will reduce pollution in the State of Goa.
Reacting to the allegations of the activists that the 400 kva line at Mollem is coming up as Railways will go electric and they will require more power to climb the ghats from Mollem to Castle Rock, Cabral said, “that is a good idea.”
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“Electrification of railways is welcomed as the diesel guzzling engines will not be there and besides there would be no noise pollution too. It will be beneficial to the environment as there would be no pollution,” he said.
He rubbished the claim that the Railways would require huge power.
“Railways will not even require even 1 p.c of the power from the 400 kva transmission line,” he said.
He added that the controversy regarding Sangod project is uncalled for as it is neither reserved forest nor wildlife area.
“It is a private land, which has been purchased and 2,000 odd trees have been felled. The project is required as the demand for power is increasing with every passing year,” he said.
He, however, added that the Chief Minister is in Delhi and he will bring some assurance from the Centre on the three projects.
On another development, Cabral slammed the Opposition parties for the criticism for increase in FPPCA charges.
“The FPPCA differs every quarter, sometimes it increases and sometimes it even decreases. The Opposition parties must do a proper study and make statements,” he said.
He also took an indirect dig at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) saying even though the AAP government in Delhi gives 0-200 free electricity, their charges above 200 units is skyrocketing.
“Compare the charges of Goa and Delhi. Our maximum charges are Rs 4 while in Delhi it goes to even Rs 14,” he said.
Meanwhile, he added that the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) of the Electricity department will be operational from December 1.
