PANJIM: Facing criticism from all quarters over eight new COVID-19 cases in the State, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday said he would write to the Centre asking that the Railways skip Goa as a halt for the special trains announced recently.
The Chief Minister, addressing a video conference, said that 50 per cent of the travellers on the train are non-Goans. “Around 720 persons have booked tickets for the Delhi-Goa train on May 15 and I am told 50 per cent of bookings are of non-Goans,” he said.
Sawant said that he will speak to the Centre on skipping Goa stations of these special trains. “There are no hotels open in Goa and as such I will tell the Railway Ministry to skip Goa stations if possible,” he stated.
Besides this, he said that direct flights may also begin to Goa soon to bring stranded Goans. “8,218 stranded persons have registered to return to Goa and the flights may resume in some days. However, all precautions will be taken by the government on testing and isolation,” he assured.
Further, taking a cue from PM Narendra Modi’s speech, the Chief Minister said that Goans have to be vocal for local. “We need to promote Goan and Indian products and the government will take all necessary steps in this regard,” he said.
Sawant also said he would hold a meeting with banks to discuss funding to MSMEs and other businesses collateral security.
