CORTALIM, SEPT 8
With emotions running high, a top-level meeting has been convened at the Deputy Speaker’s Chamber in Porvorim on September 20 to discuss the imbroglio caused by the proposed doubling of Hospet-Vasco rail connectivity.
Confirming this, Mauvin Godinho told Herald that he had called for a meeting involving the South Western Railway, Railway Vikas Nigam Limited, Konkan Railway and MPT, to discuss in detail the issue regarding bypass and its fallout on the local populace.
While stating that he would do every possible to protect the interest of his people, Godinho blamed the Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim Panchayat for not having put up before him the concerns raised by the people.
“Whatever moves that has been initiated, have been done by me after the people approached me with their problems. Had the Panchayat approached me in the beginning the whole picture may have been different and I am being blamed in some quarters for the wrongdoings of the Panchayat,” said Godinho.
Godinho informed that as per information he received from the railway authorities, the Railway Board had sanctioned Rs 2,127 crore and work had been assigned to Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
The first phase from Hospet to Tinai Ghat which is close to Castle Rock had been finalised, while the remaining distance from Tinai Ghat to Vasco has not been finalised as yet, Godinho informed.
He assured that all stakeholders would be taken into confidence before the finalisation of the railway line.
Recently, a delegation from Utorda and Arossim had approached Godinho and had raised fears on the problems likely to be faced due to the new railway line.
