Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Mar 25: The Goa government has once again approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) seeking revocation of the abeyance order on diversion of 15.6 hectares of forest land for the Kulem–Kalem railway track doubling project.
In a revised proposal submitted to the Ministry’s Regional Empowered Committee (REC), the state has relied on a biodiversity and ecological impact study conducted by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) within protected areas of the wildlife sanctuary.
The government has argued that the Supreme Court of India order dated May 9, 2022 applies specifically to the Castle Rock–Kulem stretch and not to the Kulem–Kalem section under consideration.
The proposal involves diversion of forest land under the North Goa Forest Division in favour of South Western Railway and RVNL as part of the controversial railway doubling project between Tinaighat in Karnataka and Vasco da Gama in Goa.
Earlier, the apex court had revoked wildlife clearances for the project in 2022 based on recommendations from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
The REC had rejected a similar request in March 2025, citing that the project segment falls within the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone. It had then directed RVNL to conduct a detailed impact assessment.
In its fresh submission, the state noted that Stage-II forest clearance had been granted in April 2022 for three proposals involving diversion of 138.39 hectares of forest land, which were later kept in abeyance following the Supreme Court order.
The government also highlighted that the abeyance was lifted for diversion of 1.908 hectares in the Kulem–Sanvordem stretch as it involved private forest land and did not fall under the court’s directive.
However, the REC has remained cautious regarding the Kulem–Kalem stretch, pointing out that it lies within a protected area. It also referred to observations by the Goa Forest Department indicating minimal ecological difference between the Castle Rock–Kulem and Kulem–Kalem sections, raising concerns over biodiversity impact.
The matter is now under consideration as the Centre reviews the state’s renewed request.