Team Herald
CURCHOREM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Sunday said the three linear projects are not in the interest of coal but for passengers, tourism and other activities.
He was speaking after inaugurating the two Limited Height Subways at Kamral and Khandiwada and a foot overbridge at Curchorem Railway Station at the function organised by South Western Railways (SWR).
Speaking further he said, “Some people are opposing for the sake of opposing because others are opposing without knowing why the project is coming and some are opposing to make politics with self-interest.”
“These three projects are not in the interest of coal but for passengers, tourism and other activities. Coal transportation was increased to 10 million tonnes from 4 million tonnes and it may reduce to 3 million tonnes very soon. We are trying to get other commodities to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and I am sure the way we are getting support of Central government, we will be able to use MPT’s entire infrastructure to import and export different pharma and it is not only for handling coal but various tourism activities can be started from this port and the proposal in this regard has been sent to the Shipping Ministry,” he said.
“Goa will become Swayampurna Goa by the end of December 2021 in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, dairy, infrastructure and including skilled manpower,” Sawant added.
With regards to Tanmar power project, he said it is required to get sufficient power supply for at least next five years.
“Still some people are not getting 24 hours supply, we are lacking to give required power supply to industries and therefore keeping in mind the future requirements the Tanmar project is necessary and government is fully supporting and will complete it,” he said.
On the national highway project, Sawant said the government is only planning now for the next 10 years for the benefit of future generations.
“We are concerned about the environment and animals but human lives are more important as every day one person loses life at Anmod Ghat and therefore we are planning the infrastructure which is required for the next 50 years,” Sawant said and added that ‘even after big opposition all the three projects will be completed.’
Power Minister Nilesh Cabral thanked the Railway authorities for fulfilling the long pending demand of Kamral and Khandiwada residents for constructing underpasses. The people from Kamral ward of CCMC suffered for several years for not having proper road access.
“They were facing difficulties to take any vehicle other than two-wheelers to their houses and had to park on the other side of the railway track for several years and since the underpass subway is completed now the people will heave a sigh of relief,” he said.
Cabral said, “Not a single person from Curchorem and Sanvordem has opposed the railway double tracking line as people know its benefit. Earlier, Curchorem-Sanvordem was number one town due to railway line but because of certain factors it lagged behind and surrounding areas developed. Need big and important projects of the public interest for the development of the area.”
Cabral informed the Chief Minister that people are ready to have IIT in Curchorem.
According to railway authorities, the Limited Height Subways have been constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 2.75 crore which include land acquisition for the approach road and a 76×2 metre-long footbridge connecting two railway platforms and cover the six railway tracks constructed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd within six months.
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, SWR general manager Ajay Kumar Singh, divisional railway manager Arvind Malkhede, chief project manager P K Kshatriya, PCOM Hari Shankar Verma and CTE Vinod Bampal were present.
