VASCO: Refusing any immediate approval for the proposed doubling of the railway track of South Western Railway (SWR), Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida made it clear to SWR authorities that he would not make any commitment on the project, until they furnish a feasibility report.
He also claimed that before giving a green signal, the people of Vasco want to know how many will get affected, how many new trains would start and how the new project would benefit people.
Speaking on the sidelines of an inspection to check how many houses will be affected by the double tracking of the route till Vasco station, he said, “It is very premature to say anything on the proposed project as I am yet to see the feasibility report that would benefit people of Vasco. Secondly, I have asked them to show how many new trains including Vasco to Bombay, Vasco to Mangalore would start. If the same is not feasible, then, I don’t think that Vasco people need a double track,” he said.
“I have asked them to take Municipal Council, comunidade and locals into confidence and only then go for an inspection. As per their plan there are many houses identified whose compound wall or even house would have to be demolished,” Almeida added.
After a similar inspection at Dabolim railway station, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho claimed that the project is the need of the hour as it would help in development of Mormugao port and be useful for increasing passenger traffic which in turn would decongest the roads as more cargo from MPT would move through the railways.
“As far as Dabolim areas are concerned, the affect would not be at Dabolim as there are not many houses located close to the railway track. I have told the railway authorities to be more sensitive towards public utilities. I have asked them to give their NOC to develop a beautification project near the railway bridge at New Vaddem as the area had become a suicide point for the locals.”
