VASCO: Mormugao Taluka locals on Thursday raised strong opposition to the State Cabinet’s nod for the acquisition of land for South Western Railway Kulem-Margao double tracking project.
Captain Viriato Fernandes of Goencho Avaaz said, “The sudden and hurried decision of the beleaguered government tottering on its last leg to give this undemocratic and illegal Cabinet approval for land acquisition despite the intense opposition from the people and also the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) having submitted its objections to the coal-related project indicates the intense pressure of the crony capitalists to force the government to accord the approvals realising fully well that the government will be voted out of power. This anti-people decision will also be the last nail in the coffin of the most corrupt and anti-democratic government.”
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Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira, parish priest of SFX Church Chicalim said, “I don’t understand why our State government is bent upon not respecting Supreme Court-appointed CEC recommendations regarding the ecologically destructive three linear projects. Which master is our State Cabinet serving? What’s the hurry? Is it the obvious reason of upcoming Assembly elections in ‘fast tracking’ the destruction of whatever is remaining undone by this government? I hope the apex court takes cognizance of this disrespect to the CEC that recommended the scrapping of the railway double track project through our Mollem forests.”
“I demand that the State Cabinet revokes the consent for acquisition at the earliest. We the people will not take it sitting down,” Fr Bolmax added.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founding member of VACAD and Goencho Ekvott group said, “The news that the Cabinet has approved the acquisition of land for SWR double tracking of the Kulem-Margão route which has faced stiff opposition from the villagers of Guirdolim, Chandor, Sao Jose de Areal, Davorlim, etc. and despite the recommendation of the CEC that the double tracking project should be ‘Scrapped in totality’ is indeed shocking as this expansion is only for the benefit of Adani and Jindal for the transportation of coal through our pristine villages that has simply no accrued benefits to the State of Goa and it’s peaceful people,” Rodrigues said.
Creson Antao, Majorda pan member and Goencho Ekvott convenor said, “It’s very unfortunate that the BJP government is in overdrive to give approval to land acquisition for the controversial project of SWR double tracking. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had given an assurance on floor of Goa Assembly that the State will abide by the CEC report and recommendations. The CEC has already recommended to the Supreme Court to scrap the double tracking project as it’s a waste of public money since this project will not increase the efficiency of railway network.”
