Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: The Gandhidam-Nagercoil Express train (16336) became the 2nd long-distance train to make a Halt/Stoppage at Canacona KRC Railway Station on Wednesday.
Nethravathi Express has already began exercise the Halts/Stoppages at Canacona since Sunday (2nd April), after the Ministry of Railways/Railway Board approved the long and sustained demands of Canacona locals for stoppages/Halts of two of the three long-distance trains in Canacona.
Amidst fanfare, Canacona MLA and GLA Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar flagged-off the weekly Gandhidham-Nagercoil express which arrived at about 10.00 am on Wednesday after an extended 5 min Halt at Canacona Railway Station.
Forum for Senior Citizens of Canacona President Guilherme Martins and other members, besides, CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaonkar, Social worker and GCCI Vice-President Shamba Naik Dessai, BJP Mandal (Canacona) President Viushal Dessai, BJP Vice president (South) Mahesh Naik, Khotigao sarpanch Anandu Dessai, CMC Vice Chairperson Laxuman Pagui, Councillor Gandesh Madgavkar were present amongst a few others for the flag-off of the Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express.
Interestingly, soon after the flag-off at the hands of the Speaker, a recorded message was played at Canacona KRC Station, which conveyed the message as follows: After tremendous efforts and continuous follow-up with the Central Ministry and Railway board, today, the Hon’ble speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and Canacona MLA welcomed the stop of Gandhidam Express in Canacona today morning at 10.00 am, also the Nethravathi Express also gets halt in Canacona on weekly basis.
Speaker sir’s efforts are also on for the stoppage of Matsygandha Express, and also start reservations at Canacona stations for the above-mentioned trains.’
The voice recorded message further stated, ‘Speaker also thanked Central Railway minister Shri Ashwin Kumar-ji for considering the request as well as Canacona Municipal Council, BJP Mandal, and senior citizens for highlighting the issue.”
Incidentally, making a appeal on social media, office of Speaker at Canacona requested for the presence of all Bjp Mandal, Karyakartas and senior Citizens and Canconkars to join in large number for the flagg-off of the Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express at Canacona.
It was furher informed, that after Covid, Konkan Railways had stopped almost 300 Railways across the region. But with continuous efforts and Follow up from Speaker Tawadakar, Canacona Muncipal Council , BJP have been successful to get halts for these two major trains.
Members of Forum for Senior Citizens of Canacona, having initiated the demands for resuming long-distance Train halts at Canacona, Congress activists, Canacona Jagruth Samitee and others launched a sustainable agitation programs under the banner of Canacona Railway Stop Bachao Action Committee, including march to the Raiwlay Station and gheroaing of the railway officials and observing a one-day Sit-in Hunger Strike at Canacona Railway Station.
