CURCHOREM: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu laid a foundation stone for doubling the 34 km railway tracks from Collem to Margao during the function held at SAG ground in Curchorem, on Sunday.
The minister also laid foundation stone for 4 road over bridges (ROBs) at LC-43, 44, 45 and 46 between Margao and Verna section of Konkan Railway and launching of Adarsh station work of Curchorem-Sanvordem railway station.
On the occasion, Prabhu promised to start a direct train from Goa to Trupati via Sanvordem before the end of January 2017.
“The 255 km long Hospet-Tinaighat section of the double line project has been taken up under phase-I and likely to be completed by March 2019. Under Phase-II Collem to Margao and Phase-III Margao to Vasco-da-Gama will be taken up in Goa,” Prabhu informed.
“Doubling will result in scope for increasing passengers and more express trains including goods trains which will generate more revenue to railways and create employment to locals in the form of required transportation and other additional resources,” he said and informed that it would also give boost to tourism in Goa.
He also informed that very soon railway board will set up Railway Transformation Centre (RTC) monitored by railway chairman where different best ideas come from the public and particularly from the railway employees will be implemented on shortest possible time to transform the railway from where it has been and what it should be.
South Western Railway (SWR) General Manager A K Gupta said that 4 ROBs would eliminate four level crossing gates in Margao-Verna section and would benefit residents of more than 15 villagers.
The ROBs will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.145 crore. The state government will bear 50 percent cost of construction and land acquisition for approach roads.
Local MLA Nilesh Cabral urged Prabhu to consider giving railway zone or division in Goa for the benefit of local youth in gettings more railway jobs.
