After Railways’ social media post on double tracking triggers storm in Goa, state govt issues a clarification

The Chief Minister’s Office on Tuesday said in a statement, “The Government of Goa states that as clarified by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the limited acquisition of 0.6 hectares initiated by the Ministry of Railways in Cansaulim, Sancoale and Issorcim villages is solely for banking/stabilisation support to safeguard nearby houses, provision of road access to landowners and correction of alignment mismatches identified in earlier surveys. The project will facilitate tourism development and faster movement of existing freight, including coal, in a manner that reduces incidental pollution by decreasing exposure time. It is further reiterated that no capacity expansion of coal transportation will be permitted in the state.”

Opposition parties had slammed the BJP government after the Railways post on X. They alleged that the “disclosure” on social media has “made it evident” that the proposed railway double tracking project is intended for coal transportation.

Amit Patkar, president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged that the disclosure exposed the hypocrisy of the BJP government, which he claimed has been misleading Goans by saying the project is aimed at development, while it is actually “aimed at converting Goa into a coal hub”.

“Goans have consistently opposed the destructive double tracking project. The Congress party stands firmly with the people in this fight and will continue to resist any attempt to turn Goa into a coal hub,” Patkar said.

AAP state president Amit Palekar said the BJP government’s push for the project is designed “solely for corporate profit” at the cost of health, environment and economy of the state. He said former CM Manohar Parrikar had opposed the double tracking project.

Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai said, “The Union ministry has finally admitted that double tracking is meant for coal transportation. Goa government always claimed it was not for coal, but the truth is out.”

Goa CM Pramod Sawant rejected the Opposition’s allegation, saying that there would be no increase in the coal handling capacity at the Mormugao Port. “I want to reiterate that the handling of coal at Goa’s Mormugao Port will not be enhanced,” Sawant told the media.

The Ministry of Railways had sanctioned the doubling of the existing Hospet-Tinaighat-Vasco railway line in Karnataka and Goa in 2010. The expansion project, which proposed a second track alongside the existing line between Goa’s Mormugao Port and Tinaighat in Karnataka, was earlier approved by the National Board for Wildlife during a meeting held in 2020, leading to protests in Goa.

The doubling of the railway track from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa is among the three linear projects in Goa opposed by environmentalists and locals over the years. In July 2020, the three linear projects were cleared by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife, which said the Goa State Wild Life Board had “recommended the proposals in its meetings”. The three projects were met with strong opposition from environmentalists and locals, who in 2020, gave shape to the ‘Save Mollem’ campaign protesting the felling of trees in the Mollem National Park and the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa.

In April 2021, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court said it did not find any justification in doubling the railway track from Castle Rock to Kulem as it “would destroy the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats, which was an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot and also one of the most important wildlife corridors of the country”. The Supreme Court had set aside the clearance granted by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife for doubling the railway line from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa.