Stepping up pressure on the State government to support the doubling of the railway line between Hospet (Karnataka) and Vasco, local leaders cutting across party lines have stated that the added rail line would benefit residents in Curchorem in particular and the State’s tourism industry in general.
“The parallel track is needed as it will solve the shortage of passenger trains on the route, as all important trains are diverted via the Konkan Railway. SWR is not introducing additional trains, as demanded by people, on grounds that it is not feasible to adjust the timing of connecting trains due to the single railway line from Goa,” informed Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral.
The MLA said the Curchorem traders, particularly vegetable vendors, have been following an age-old practice, to bring goods, vegetables and other products from Belgaum, Hubli, Kholapur and other commercial places.
“People from this area feel that the train is the only convenient mode of transport for their business as they can bring vegetables and other goods without much difficulties and damages,” added Cabral.
Curchorem Congress Block President John D’Costa has expressed happiness as the work of laying parallel railway track has commenced at Hospet.
“The Railways already has excess land to lay a parallel line from Hospet to Vasco. I urge the State government to give permission and allot additional land to South Western Railways (SWR), wherever required, after studying the project in detail on a priority basis,” D’Costa told Herald.
“Goa being a tourist destination, a parallel track is required to introduce more passenger trains. Since Goa has a single line, it becomes difficult to introduce more passenger trains due to mismatch between timings of connecting trains,” he said.
“The government can also develop some sites along the railway line to attract more tourists. As the mining business is collapsing, the government must focus more on tourism by developing not only beaches, but also hinterland areas of the State,” he stated.
When contacted, Curchorem BJP Block President Ashish Karmali said he was not against the laying of parallel track, but added that the SWR should deal with the matter in a transparent way and should inform public of the benefits of the double rail line.
“If Goans are not going to benefit from this line, then what is the use of allotting them additional land in Goa,” asked Karmali.
“In any case, our demand is to introduce more passenger trains via Curchorem and grant a halt at Curchorem,” Karmali said.
The demands for a parallel railway track have grown considerably in response to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent statement refusing permission for the doubling work of the Goa stretch of the Vasco-Hospet rail line.
