Many Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) trains don’t halt at the two KRC stations. One is located at Nagarcem, Canacona and the other one is at Loliem, Canacona. Tourists – foreign and domestic – are approaching many social welfare groups, hotel owners and business establishments that they are facing many hardships as many trains don’t halt at these stations. They have to hire taxis either from Margao station or from Karwar to reach their destinations in Canacona.
Speaking to Herald, Diogo Da Silva, a leading businessman and a social worker, said they have made many written representations to the Regional Manager of KRC but have not received any response from him for the past two years.
Silva showed a copy of a letter sent to the KRC under the banner of ‘Association of Businessmen, Canacona’ in December 2015. Silva lamented that they have not got any response from the KRC higher ups and said that they will be compelled to take stringent steps if their pleas are not met for the better service to the public.
He showed a letter specifically asking the KRC to see that Train No. 12133 and 123334 (CST Mangalore) should halt at Canacona. That apart he said even special trains which are scheduled during festival occasions don’t halt at Canacona stations which he said implies that the people of Canacona are a ‘children of a lesser god’.
Silva also said that there is no public reservation facility at KRC railway station and the commuters have to approach the touts for seat reservation and pay them a premium.
Social activist and former sarpanch of Poinguinim Janardhan Bhandari while speaking to Herald said that the KRC became operational in 1998 with the motto of helping the travellers but lamented that at present the KRC is making profits by ferrying jet speed travellers and goods laden trucks on its carriages.
When contacted by Herald KRC Personal Manager Baban Ghate said that he is not in receipt of any letter addressed to him. He informed that the aggrieved should approach the Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, through the intervention of the South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar or the railway board who are the competent authority to make changes of train halts.
