TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: Unhappy with the South Western Railway (SWR) for failing to provide a halt to the Vailankanni train at the Curchorem-Sanvordem station, residents from Curchorem, Sanvordem and surrounding areas have decided to protest by stopping the train on May 27 at 9.30 am.
In his letter to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) at Hubli, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral has requested the SWR to provide a halt to the Vailankanni train at Curchorem by May 26, failing which he along with the people would stop the train at Curchorem.
Speaking to reporters, Cabral informed that the train was inaugurated on August 26, 2011, by the then union railway minister to give benefits to Goans, particularly to the devotees of Our Lady of Vailankanni.
“At that time, some locals from Curchorem had given a memorandum to the minister demanding a halt at Curchorem, but till today no response has come from the ministry. As the elected representative of the people, I made a personal visit to the DRM at Hubli and apprised him of the need to provide a halt to this train at Curchorem,” said Cabral.
“But despite repeated requests, personal visits and various letters to him, there is a silence on the subject. People are facing severe difficulties as they have to travel to Margao to board this train.”
“Left with no other option, residents have decided to stop the train on May 27, if authorities fail to grant a halt at Curchorem by May 26,” Cabral added.
The MLA said he has also requested the people as well as MLAs from Quepem, Sanguem and Sanvordem as also MPs to participate and support this demand.
