Daijiworld Media Network
Panaji, Sep14: On Monday, the South Western Railway(SWR) said that the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) will conduct the inspection of the newly laid double line between Sanvordem- Chandorgoa- Margao section, a 15.64 km stretch, as a part of doubling of the railway track between Tinaighat –Vasco-da – Gama in South Goa on September 23.
On September 23, the motor trolley inspection of CRS will start from Sanvordem at 10:15 am and from Madgaon at 5:30 pm. SWR added by saying “the public are hereby cautioned not to trespass the track.”
The doubling of the railway tracks is one of the three linear projects in Goa that has been opposed by environmentalists in the state.
The Supreme court’s central Empowerment committee (CEC), in April, shot down an important rail expansion project in Goa and recommended crucial changes to two other projects, a highway and a power transmission line in the state because of environmental concerns.
Even though there were signs of red flags at various levels because they would cut through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary (BMWS) and the Mollem National Park (MNP) in South Goa. Despite this, the projects were cleared by the centre last year.
In its report dated April 23, the CEC said that it does not find any justification in doubling the railway track from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa as it “will destroy the fragile eco-system of the Western Ghats, which is an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot and also one of the most important wildlife corridors of the country”.
The CEC has recommended that the alignment of the Goa-Tanmar Transmission Project for lying of electric lines for additional 400 KV feed to Goa be redrawn and modified along the existing 220 KV line . This is based on the application filed by Goa foundation.
“There are multiple fronts on which we are fighting. The CEC has examined the NBWL’s (National Board for Wild Life) approval for the (railway double tracking) project which, we had said, was given without application of mind for various reasons. The CEC has come out in our favour in that report but unless it is moved before the Supreme Court it would only remain a report. So we have moved the Supreme Court.” Norma Alvares Goa foundation advocate reported saying . Alvares added an interim application seeking a stay on the project was filed by the Goa foundation, but a day has not been fixed for the hearing.