MARGAO: In a major setback to those opposing the double-tracking project in the State, the land acquisition authority for the double-tracking project from Kulem to Vasco on Sunday issued a public notice of the award for acquisition of land by dismissing all objections raised on environmental grounds to the project.
A total of 0.9985 hectares of land will be acquired for the project in the villages of Curchorem, Cacora, Sanvordem, Xelvona, Sao Jose de Areal, Chandor, Guirdolim, Velsao, and Issorcim.
Through the public notice, the office of the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Mormugao, announced the award for the Special Railway Project of Hospet – Hubli – Tinaighat – Vasco-da-Gama doubling in Goa.
The project is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RNVL). The land is proposed to be acquired by the Ministry of Railways South Western Railway (Construction Organisation), Government of India, under the Railway Act, 1989 for the public purpose of doubling the railway track from Kulem to Vasco-da-Gama.
It may be recalled that the Mormugao Dy Collector and SDO were appointed as the Competent Authority to perform the acquisition of such an area as specified in the notification for the Special Railway project.
The Award notice provides a brief description of the land to be acquired, with or without structure, falling within the proposed Special Railway Project, of Hospet – Hubli – Tinaighat – Vasco-da-Gama doubling along with information about compensation paid to various stakeholders.
As per South Western Railway (SWR) statistics 75.16 % of the 352.58 km Hospet-Hubli-Londa-Vasco-da-Gama double tracking work has been completed. The cost of the 100 % Railway Funded Project is pegged at Rs 3,692.60 crore.
However, what the locals are upset about is that the Land Acquisition Authority announced that it has rejected all 20 objections to double tracking raised on objection ground on Kulem to Vasco line.
It was pointed out that a total of 26 objections were raised by citizens with regard to the proposed land acquisition notification for double tracking of Kulem to Vasco-da-Gama rail route. Of these 26 objections, 20 were pertaining to environmental issues and probable increase of iron ore transportation after railway doubling. Ten of these objections were rejected outright while the remaining 10 were dismissed after the hearing stating that they were ‘not in the ambit of competent authority’.
It may be recalled that the affected citizens have been fighting the land acquisition proceedings and had filed their objections during the Covid pandemic and were following up on this matter for the last few years.
