Team Herald
Vasco: The Village Action Committee Against Doubling of the South Western Railway Track (VACAD) has written an open letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, expressing its dismay to hear his comments about the government intending to bulldoze the three three linear projects in Goa. VACAD has condemned the govt’s stand to purposely ignore the people’s opposition to the draconian projects and go ahead.
VACAD recalled that they had come to meet Sawant on several occasions with reference to the doubling of the track and that they followed the instructions as suggested by him. “We put together a video to impress upon you the proximity of the tracks to the houses along the SWR alignment and this video was shown to you in the presence of SWR officials,” they said.
“Do not fool Goans by stating that Goa will not be converted into a coal hub. The urgency to get this project executed is only for this purpose. It is a well-known fact that the present passenger trains run almost empty. The reason for connectivity is only a myth,” they added.
“Are you serious about protecting Goa? Have you analysed/ visited the site of these projects to understand whether there are any benefits that will be accrued to the State or is this of least concern to the govt? Have you taken time to study the impact of coal dust accompanied by heavy metals, on the health of the people? Does it matter to the elected representatives that the second SWR track is, in many cases literally on the doorsteps of the houses along the present alignment? Does it matter to the govt that the lives of the people living along the tracks will be a nightmare if the second track becomes a reality?” VACAD asked the CM.
It adds that the coal presently being moved through the constrained SWR Ghat Section to Hospet from Mormugao harbor can be diverted through Karwar & Belikeri on the West Coast and Krishnapatnam & Machilipatnam on the East Coast.
“This will release the pressure upon the constrained SWR Ghat Section and do away with the need to trample upon the eco-sensitive Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollen National Park,” they added.
VACAD pointed out an elected representative is a servant of the people who elect him/her and it is their mandatory duty to guarantee the welfare of the people by ensuring that pro-people development takes place and not sheer destruction.
“As the CM of Goa it is your moral responsibility to protect Goa from sheer disaster and people will always remember you for saving Goa for posterity, VACAD added.
It also highlighted that there is an uprising brewing up as the people of Goa are convinced that the three linear projects are destructive in nature and Goa is only being used as corridor for the benefit of the bigger States.
