Give Goans diwali gift: Scrap double-tracking and allied projects, says Goencho Avaaz

Margao: A day after the South Western Railways fielded a high-powered delegation to do a press conference to state that the railway double-tracking is not environmentally destructive, Goencho Avaaz, a prominent people’s organization which is a part of  the largest umbrella organisation  of the people of Goa, Goencho Ekvott, has given the Chief Minister 48 hours to scarp these projects.

The Goencho Avaaz has alleged that after the Chief Minister assured the people of Goa that the projects won’t come up if the people are opposed. “But the Chief Minister has gone back on his words. The Government has 48 hours and they are expecting a gift from the Government on Diwali and Children’s day the decision to scrap the projects that are being opposed”. 

Capt. Viriato Fernandes, Zarina D’Cunha, Inacio Vas, and others from the Goencho Avaaz were present at the press briefing. 

Capt. Viriato Fernandes said that the CM has to understand that the opposition by the people is the writing on the wall that the projects are not for the betterment of the people of Goa. 

Inacio Vas of the Goencho Awaz said that the Government is misleading the people on the technical facts of the transmission line. “The Government is promising that there will be no power losses if the line is commissioned. However, it is a fact that the transmission line transmits power and doesn’t increase the power supply” said Inacio. 

Inacio also said that the trees under the 400 kVA line will be burnt down if it passes through the forests. 

The Goencho Awaz said that there is an excess of power in Goa which raises questions on what the transmission line is for. “The Government who is planning these things against their own people is anti-national,” said Inacio. 

“We have told our Chief Minister that the Coal trains planned to ply on the rail line will have 59 wagons and the electric power for the trains will be supplied from the transmission lines” alleged Capt. Viriato. 

This sharp retort of the Goencho Awaz immediately after the SWR press conference has clearly exposed the deep divide between the people along with social organisations consisting of experts who have deeply studied the impact of the environmentally destructive projects, and the government.

The Chief Minister now has to decide if he can end this divide and be with the people.