MARGAO/ VELSAO: The Railway officials have, after the midnight protest by the people’s group opposing double-tracking and coal transportation from Goa to Karnataka, Goyant Kollso Naka at Sao Jose De Areal sought to defend the works they have undertaken.
The General Manager of Rail Vikas Nigam, Shashibhushan Sahu informed that the work has been granted permission by the Collector of South Goa, Ajit Roy informing that it will take 5 hours at midnight for the completion.
The GM, Sahu said that the work at Chandor level crossing on November 2 and Davorlim Level crossing on November 9 will happen on schedule. He also informed of having sought police force for the smooth completion of the work.
Sahu claimed that the Railways have necessary permissions to do the work at the level crossings and will seek police personnel to let the work of the track happen without disturbances.
The South Goa Collector Ajit Roy, meanwhile told Herald on Tuesday, “Yes, we were approached by the Railways, as per due process for the closure of three railway crossings which neither had an over-bridge or under-bridge to carry out civil work and permission were given as per rules.” He clarified that details of the nature of work to be undertaken did not fall under his overview and the closures were sought only to facilitate the work safely and also at a time when there is no traffic.
The Goyant Kollso Naka protested at the Sao Jose De Areal level crossing at the South Western Railway gate against the laying of the second track at the crossing section. The officials, when questioned, said they have an acquisition of land for laying of the second track. They also said that they had sought police not to force the work but to make sure there are no issues to the flow of traffic.
The protests, however, are bound to continue as the work of Davorlim Level crossing and the Chandor level crossing still remain to be completed.
Meanwhile, the Village Action Committee against Double Tracking, which is a part of the Goencho Ekvott network of organisations have asked the Government of Goa to ask the Ministry of Railways to immediately stop the land acquisition process for double tracking. It has also asked the Goa government to restrain the Railways authorities from undertaking ay work-related to double tracking.
The Village Action Committee (VCAD), in its press statement issued on Thursday mentioned that the most crucial concern is that the acquisition plan is based on survey plans promulgated in 1968 and do not reflect ground reality with regard to the new structures by way of houses, compound walls and environmentally sensitive bodies
VCAD, mentioned that on the Directions of the Chief Minister an inspection along the Railway tracks was carried out led by the Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral and public representatives of the area and a team of officials of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited which is carrying out the work of Double Tracking.
“The Environment Minister directed the railway authorities to prepare a revised plan and promised to get back in four days. However VCAD is not convinced of the minister’s sincerity in scrapping the proposed tracK”, the press statement said (Herald however, points out here that it is however not on record that Minster Cabral has explicitly stated anywhere that he is in favour of scrapping the proposed second track).
The VCAD said it would take to the streets if double-tracking became a reality.
