Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s office has dismissed reports of large-scale land acquisition for the railway double-tracking project, saying only 0.6 hectares are being taken in Cansaulim, Sancoale, and Issorcim. The clarification, citing Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, said the limited acquisition is for slope stabilisation, safeguarding homes, road access, and alignment corrections.
The government reiterated that the project aims to promote tourism and improve freight efficiency without expanding coal handling capacity. Sawant insisted coal volumes would remain unchanged.
However, the railways ministry sparked controversy on Sunday, tweeting that the Hospet–Vasco track doubling would accelerate coal, iron ore, and steel movement. The statement triggered criticism from Congress, which accused Sawant of misleading Goans. Party chief Amit Patkar said the project was being pushed to make Goa a coal hub.
Goa’s Mormugao Port handled 10.6 million tonnes of coal in 2024-25. The track-doubling, first sanctioned in 2010, has already been completed on the Hospet–Tinai Ghat stretch. The second phase, crossing Goa’s forests and coastal villages, remains contentious. The project, approved by the National Board for Wildlife in 2020, has faced strong resistance from locals fearing an expansion of coal transport.