Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goyant Kollso Naka denounces the decision taken by the Chief Minister, Chief
Secretary and only 3 ML.As to allow South Western Railways (SWR) to continue the double tracking works in our villages.
GKN pointed out that the Supreme Court orders dated 9.5.2022 has upheld the CEC Report, which has concluded that double-tracking is not necessary at all and that even if the corporations want coal in Karnataka, they should get it from the east coast from Krishnapatnam port.
“Further, the Supreme Court has permitted SWR to apply afresh for the revoked Wildlife Clearance with such stringent conditions and
requirements that it is highly improbable that the Clearances will ever be granted. Among other directions, SC has asked for an explanation for traffic projections supported by an independent and credible source, an independent and detailed assessment of cumulative assessment, a fresh, detailed IA study and a detailed study by N’TCA regarding the tiger corridor and has also noted that it is not double-tracking but an entirely new alignment, that the terrain makes the project
disastrous, that animal passes are not possible, the threat of landslides and the impacts of the construction activities on the Sanctuary and Wildlife,” GKN said.
GKN argued that since SWR itself has stated that the work within the Western Ghats, which includes 23 tunnels, seven major bridges and 74 minor bridges, will take 5-10 years to complete if permissions are ever granted.
“The ongoing works outside the Wildlife Sanctuary, in our densely populated villages, must be stopped immediately. This is essential to prevent unnecessary environmental and socio-economic losses to lakhs of Goans and also to prevent the waste of Public Funds,” GKN said.
GKN also points out that all the ongoing works are illegal given the misuse of the Railways Act to avoid obtaining consent from the local residents under the Right to Fair Compensation Act, only to help increase corporate profits.
“Goyant Kollso Naka is attempting to meet and convince all the MI. As across party lines, the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to immediately reverse the decision taken and order SWR to stop all works for the double-tracking immediately,” it said.
GKN said it is most pleased to inform the concerned citizens of Goa that we have already met the nine affected MIAs who were not consulted, and all of them have agreed to support our request that the double tracking works in our villages must be stopped.
GKN calls upon all elected representatives, political parties and citizens to unite and get the ongoing works by SWR, which are irreversibly destroying our lands and communities every day, stopped immediately.
