22 Nov 2020  |   05:58am IST

Laying of double tracks in Cabral’s Curchorem in full swing

Constituents want Environment Minister to spend a night in one of the houses and experience their plight; Say double tracking will destroy Goa’s environment
Laying of double tracks in Cabral’s Curchorem in full swing

Team herald

QUEPEM: With people opposing the three linear projects proposed in the State, the laying of double tracks in Environment and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral’s Curchorem constituency is going on in full swing.

Cabral had said, “If nation has to progress and developed, we should consider and execute developmental policies”. 

However, this comment has not gone down well with his constituents.

Gabriel Fernandes, a resident of Curchorem said, “Local MLA Cabral must spend a night in one of the houses and experience the people’s plight on the single track. Imagine what it will be after the doubling of railway tracks gets completed and made operational.” 

“The Government has forgotten that the people have elected it. And government has to do what the people want it to do and not listen to the crony capitalists”, Gabriel reminded.

Ali Shaikh, another local said, “We are against the double tracking of rail lines which will destroy the environment and pollute the air. The health of the people residing close to the railway track will be affected and coal handling will not benefit Goa in any way.” 

Another resident Harshad Gauns Desai said, “If double tracking is for the benefit of Goa and if it’s going to bring more tourists to the State then we, Goans would have accepted it, but it is for transportation of coal and iron ore from Karnataka.”

“The main purpose is hidden. How many tourists will arrive from Hospet and Bellary districts, these are mining belt and steel industry hub. With double tracking connecting these places, transportation of coal and iron ore will increase and this will destroy Goa’s environment,” Desai added.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar