Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant gave the Legislative Assembly his word that none of the new railway stations in Goa that were being considered would become coal hubs.
“If new stations are announced in other States, people welcome them,” Sawant stated in response to a calling attention motion made by Velim MLA Cruz Silva. There are objections here. Those who are protesting ought to put their issues in paper. We’ll carry out a thorough investigation and send the Center the objections,” said Sawant
Previously, Sawant admitted that the Central government has authority over railway projects, restricting the State’s ability to make decisions.
Following a commotion over worries that these new stations—which were proposed for Sarzora, Neura, and Mayem—could be utilized for coal handling, the Assembly held the discussion.
In his call to action, Silva emphasized that, considering the close proximity of current stations, the recently planned railway stations at Mayem, São José de Areal, and Neura are superfluous for the convenience of passengers.
“Villagers are concerned that these stations are being built to support coal and other polluting industries, with potential port connectivity that could have a negative impact on farmers and local communities,” he said.
He called on the State administration to communicate openly and honestly with the Union government and the Konkan Railway Corporation.
“Until all issues are resolved and stakeholders are given confidence, no licenses, permissions, or approvals should be given for these projects,” Silva argued.
Similar worries were voiced by Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar during the Zero Hour session, who said that the people of Neura, Agassaim, and Dongrim are afraid that a railway station would cause serious environmental harm if it were built on Neura’s Khazan lands.
The suggested location is in a cultivable area that is ecologically fragile. Borkar cautioned that further landfilling would cause irreparable damage, noting that the region is already served by the nearby Karmali railway station, which is only six kilometers away.
