MARGAO: Double tracking of railway lines is being undertaken up to Majorda at the moment and the South Western railway authorities have said they are not looking beyond Majorda at the moment.
However, former minister and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha expressed fears that it may be taken up at a later date.
South Goa Member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar had called for a meeting with railways officials and sarpanchas, deputy sarpanchas and secretaries of the local bodies like panchayats and Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council to discuss the problems faced by them.
Alina who was present along with Cansaulim Sarpanch Martha Saldanh strongly opposed double tracking of railway lines in their villages on grounds that it would destroy the age old houses of the people.
“Demolishing of the houses will have an adverse effect on the people,” insisted Alina while pointing out that presently there are houses in Cansaulim and Velsai where one can see the other side of the wall through the cracks that have occurred in the walls due to the train movement.
Regional Railway Manager Arun Jain pointed out that the railways are not even considering taking the project beyond Majorda primarily because of the objections from the people and added that without the people’s consent even the land cannot be acquired.
Narendra Sawaikar suggested that the issue of double tracking from Majorda to Vasco be not discussed as that is not on the agenda at the moment and other issues perplexing the people may be discussed.
“But then it should not be said tomorrow that we have completed right up to Majorda and hence will take it further to Vasco now,” Alina quipped even as Arun Jain said not completing the double tracking up to Vasco would be loss of the State.
