Team Herald
MARGAO: Following recent developments surrounding Mollo village in Velsao where local residents were affected by the railway expansion work, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has reiterated his opposition to double tracking and coal transportation in Goa. He asked the Central government to shift coal handling operations to the eastern side of the country, and to “leave Goa out of it”.
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The MP warned that Goa’s tourism will also suffer because of the pollution that will be caused if Goa is allowed to become a coal hub, which he alleged is what the State and Central government want to do, despite the wishes of the citizens.
Viriato said the existing track is underutilised for passenger traffic and thus a second track was not required. He referred to a response he received in Parliament when he raised this issue where he was clearly informed that the double tracking is for coal transportation. He also touched upon how the Sagarmala initiative of the Union Shipping Ministry also speaks about Goa and double tracking being meant for coal transportation.
The MP then touched upon how the Central government’s policy speaks about how transportation of hazardous material like coal should be carried out on the eastern side and not the western side. He questioned why coal is not being transported via other ports like Belekeri, Karwar in Karnataka or Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh.
While addressing reporters on Thursday, a day after his meeting at the South Goa District Collectorate, the MP hit back at allegations against him that he had done a ‘U-turn’ on the issue.
He also suggested that those making such comments should visit Mollo in Velsao and help the locals save their ancestral lands instead.
Fernandes also pointed out that he had not only raised this issue of double tracking and coal transportation in Parliament but that he also has a case against him in connection with the famous Chandor double tracking agitation in November 2020.
He added the trial has begun against him and the other accused persons by the railways and Goa police in that case and the next hearing will be held in a week’s time.
He also recalled how Congress national leader Rahul Gandhi had spoken about the opposition to coal and double tracking when he had visited Velsao in Goa two years ago and that he along with the party will continue to oppose this in Goa.
‘Rlys must show proof of land ownership, cannot encroach pvt property in Velsao’
MARGAO: Recalling how on Tuesday, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited accompanied by the Railway Police had come to Mollo, Velsao and started encroaching upon private properties, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes slammed the railways for attempting such work without having any land ownership documents. He said that the meeting was fixed to show the railways that the locals had proof of their land ownership documents. The land demarcation has been sought in view of railways’ claims that they possess land in the vicinity of the tracks, following recent land acquisition proceedings, he said. He added that right from the when the double tracking work began in Goa, he and other activists have contended that the railway authorities must show what land they own instead of encroaching into private properties.
