Second rail track is MPT fraud: Parrikar
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 17 July 2013 17:57 IST
Goa government has accused that double line track of South Western Railway from Vasco is a fraud of the Mormugao Port Trust.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has decided not to give permission for laying another track for the SCR line from Vasco.
“The MPT needs to promote its fraud of exporting coal, not for the benefit of Goa”, said Parrikar.
The SWR has recently laid foundation stone to lay second track from Goa border to Hospet in Karnataka.
“I will not allow it from Goa border to Vasco”, said the chief minister firmly.
The effort of SWR was also lauded by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stating that its long-pending demand has finally been fulfilled.
However, according to Parrikar, Goan industry does not need the second track to fulfill its need of transportation.
On the contrary, he feels the people would suffer since the lines of vehicles at all the crossings, especially in thickly populated Salcete taluka, would double since number of trains moving on the line could increase.
Secondly, he said the government will have to acquire additional land for the track while also building overbridges at the crossings in some cases.
If one track is enough, the second one should not be allowed.
Goa is the smallest state and land is scarce.