Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday stated that the new railway stations were crossing stations and not meant for passengers.
On an average, passenger trains take 15 to 18 minutes and freight trains take 20 to 25 minutes, Sawant said during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly.
The State government has backed the Konkan Railway’s proposal to construct three new railway stations at Sarzora, Neura, and Mayem villages stating that it will improve operational efficiency and help the State to have a fast train connecting North Goa with the South Goa.
The House witnessed nearly half-an-hour debate on the proposed railway stations as opposition claimed that the people from those villages had strongly raised their objection to the project citing environmental concerns. They also charged that the railway route may facilitate coal transportation in future.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, however, clarified that these stations are meant for operational efficiency, and not for passenger usage and at one point for railway crossing.
He said that the three railway stations, doubling of railway lines will help boost the State’s fast train concept from Canacona to Pernem thus benefiting locals to a large extent.
The Chief Minister assured the House that he would speak to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about increasing train stoppages at Karmali Railway Station for the convenience of commuters and help them to reach the capital city faster.
Sawant also told Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao that if required, an environment impact (EIA) study will be conducted for the construction of three stations.
He also told Velim MLA Cruz Silva that the new crossing station has been proposed at Sarzora and not at Sao Jose De Areal.
Replying to a starred question tabled by Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho clarified that these stations are part of the Konkan Railway’s broader plan to improve efficiency and operations, and the Goa government cannot stop the project.
“The proposal is not something new. The Goa government cannot ask Konkan Railway to halt this project because it is essential for improving the efficiency and operations of the railway network,” Godinho said.
He explained that several existing railway lines and blocks are saturated, leading to delays in train operations. The stations are part of the original plan prepared in 1998 to address these issues.
Godinho also emphasised that the new stations are primarily for crossing purposes, not for passenger traffic. “The stations are needed to reduce delays, and the planning was done for operational reasons and for reducing time of trains. About 58 minutes will be saved with the construction of three new crossing stations,” he added.
The Goa government had already forwarded public feedback to Konkan Railway regarding the project.
Borkar raised his concerns, questioning why a study was not conducted before the proposal and noting that locals have opposed the project. “The response from the Minister has been unsatisfactory,” he said.
Godinho responded by recalling the initial opposition to the Konkan Railway project, saying, “People once opposed Konkan Railway, but today they use it extensively. These new stations are meant to improve operational efficiency,” he reiterated.