MLA Viresh Borkar has raised concerns about the proposal for three new railway stations in Goa, stating that no departmental study has been conducted and that locals have strongly opposed the projects. He criticized the minister’s response as unsatisfactory, asserting that the community’s concerns were not properly addressed.
In response, Minister Godinho defended the proposal, drawing a comparison to the initial opposition to the Konkan Railway, which is now widely used. He argued that these new stations are intended to enhance operational efficiency, not for passenger traffic.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also addressed the issue, clarifying that the proposed stations by Konkan Railway are primarily for crossing purposes, not for passenger use. He emphasized the importance of increasing train stoppages at the existing Karmali Railway Station and vowed to speak to the railway minister to push for this change. Additionally, CM Sawant suggested that, if necessary, the state could direct the Railways to conduct an environmental impact assessment study.
He further assured that the new stations were unrelated to coal or cargo transport, stressing that the focus was on improving local transportation. However, he highlighted that until the double-tracking route or proper crossings are in place, local trains will not be fully utilized.
Leader of Opposition (LoP), Yuri Alemao raised significant concerns over the proposed new railway stations in Goa, particularly in eco-sensitive areas like Neura. He questioned whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted for these projects, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the region’s environment.
He also challenged the claim made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the new stations would solely be used for railway crossings and not for freight or coal transport. The LoP demanded clarity on how the government could make such assurances without concrete evidence or guarantees from the Railways.
Furthermore, the LoP asked whether the Chief Minister would take an official undertaking from the Railways to ensure these stations would not be used for cargo or coal transport, asserting that transparency and accountability were essential to address the concerns of local communities and environmentalists. The opposition leader’s remarks underline the growing apprehension regarding the impact of these projects on Goa’s environment and infrastructure.