Land constraints hamper development of Vasco rail terminal: SWR GM
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, JUNE 10
South Western Railway (SWR) General Manager Kuldeep Chaturvedi said the Vasco rail terminal has been restrained from further development due to lack of maintenance facilities and land constraints.
Chaturvedi along with SWR Hubli Divisional Manager Adesh Sharma, who are on inspection visit at Vasco railway station, had an interactive session with media at Vasco railway station on Thursday morning.
“SWR’s efforts are on to create additional pit rail line for maintenance of trains that will help to explore running of additional trains which will be materializing shortly,” said Chaturvedi.
“SWR is keen in creating more facilities for passengers at Vasco railway station. Since land constraint is a big problem, we have been restricted from carrying out further development,” said Chaturvedi.
He further informed that an additional pit rail-line would be laid at Vasco railway terminal, thus creating maintenance service for trains so that they could commence additional passenger trains.
“Work on another pit rail-line should be commencing in another few months, which will help to start new trains from Vasco,” added Chaturvedi.
He said additional two rail tracks would be laid for increasing traffic from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), however MPT is optimistic to hand over some land, which is in its possession that is required for railway expansion.
“Due to Ghat section, time table of freight and passenger trains is very constraint, but still SWR has been working out plans to increase passenger trains and possibilities have been explored to divert from alternate routes from Sawantwadi,” added Chaturvedi.
However, the SWR is upset over development of Sanvordem railway terminal, as for the last three years, though the project has been given a green signal by the rail authority, it has not moved ahead due to objections from the local people.
“Sanvordem rail terminal will be developed in the form of fully covered rail terminal for iron ore freight and SWR has paid for land acquisition to the State government. Since some farmland would be acquired for terminal, people have been objecting to the project,” he said.
Chaturvedi congratulated Vasco railway staff for being awarded as the best maintained station. “Passenger amenities have increased at Vasco railway station and it has been maintained very well,” said Chaturvedi.
SWR Hubli Divisional Manager Adesh Sharma said about 10 hectares of land would be required for Sanvordem terminal, including some farm land.
