Team Herald
MARGAO: Citing a recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling, the South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has demanded for an immediate halt to double tracking of the Western Railway and the Borim bridge alignment through eco-sensitive khazan land.
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In light of the recent landmark SC judgment, the MP stated that he stood firmly against the State and Central governments’ actions in forcefully acquiring land and pushing through projects that benefit corporate interests at the expense of the Goan people and our fragile environment. This judgment, he pointed out, reaffirmed that not all private properties can be seized and redefined as “material resources of the community” unless it serves a genuine, community-oriented public good.
“The projects in question—the double tracking of the Western Railway from Tinaighat to Vasco and the construction of the alignment leading to the Borim bridge through eco-sensitive khazan lands—are emblematic of a disturbing trend. These projects, promoted as infrastructure development, are primarily designed to facilitate coal transportation for corporate benefit. They disrupt Goan communities, threaten our environment, and compromise the livelihoods of countless residents who depend on these lands,” said Fernandes.
He added that the Supreme Court ruling makes it clear that the government cannot acquire private property or redefine community resources to suit corporate interests.
“Any such action must meet the strict criteria of serving essential community welfare and fulfilling a genuine public interest. Goa’s land and environmental resources are integral to our cultural heritage, our health, and our future. These projects fail to meet the standard laid down by the Supreme Court and instead undermine the basic principles of justice, transparency, and public welfare that our Constitution upholds,” Fernandes added.
“I call upon the Goa Government and the Central authorities to halt these projects and reconsider their plans, aligning them with true public interest, environmental sustainability, and the welfare of the Goan community. We must ensure that any development in Goa respects our rights, protects our environment, and serves Goans, not external corporate entities. I stand committed to defending the rights of Goans against any exploitation of our lands, and I will pursue all necessary legal avenues to protect our community and preserve our heritage,” Fernandes added further.
