MARGAO: Reacting to the comment made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the Assembly that the double tracking project is not for coal transportation, Goa Foundation (GF) pointed out that the facts on the ground clearly contradict the CM’s assertion.
“There is one clear contradiction in what he says about the project not being for coal transportation. This contradicts recent approvals granted by the Goa State Pollution Control Board permitting JSW and others to enhance import of coal supplies through Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), and new investments being made at MPA for storage of coal after it is offloaded. These investments cannot be denied,” said GF Director Claude Alvares, while speaking to O Heraldo.
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He also reacted to the CM stating that the double tracking project will not affect any heritage structures. “Houses have been damaged because of the movement of trains on the single track, so damage from movement on the double track is bound to create more issues,” said Alvares.
“When the railway track was first laid in the 1870s, trains were few and far between. Even after the Portuguese left and India inherited the track, few trains moved on the single track, and therefore damage was minimal. Things have become seriously negative after the movement of coal trains several times a day on the single track. That itself has created a noise problem, with engine drivers hooting throughout the night,” he added.
“If double track is allowed, the heritage houses will crumble with the vibration,” Alvares added.
