PANJIM: Goyant Kollso Naka on Monday unanimously demanded that the government stop all works for the double railway tracking project immediately following recommendations made by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
The demand has been sent in writing to the Union Minister for Railways, the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, South Western Railway (SWR), RVNL, South Goa Collector and the authorities concerned.
The villagers from Chandor, Guirdolim, Sao Jose de Areal and other villages on Monday met RVNL general manager Sahoo and his assistant to submit representations and to demand that all ongoing works be stopped.
According to Goyant Kollso Naka convenor Antonio D’Silva, the officials were warned that failure of the authorities to respond immediately will amount to criminal refusal to act in public interest forcing the people to carry out their constitutional duties to prevent waste of public funds and prevent the senseless destruction of Goa.
D’Silva stated that the CEC has recommended the revocation of the permission for construction of the second track through the Mollem National Park and Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary granted by the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wild Life. Due to its impossible terrain, this section is the bottleneck that limits the number of trains that can ply on this route.
