Linear tasks not only for coal however for way forward for Goa: Pramod Sawant

AHEAD of subsequent month’s native physique elections in Goa, which can be a litmus check for the meeting polls in 2022, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant mentioned on Sunday that the three linear tasks within the state, towards which native residents in addition to environmentalists have been protesting, weren’t only for transportation of coal however for the event of the coastal state.
A “coal versus environment” narrative is predicted to dominate the ballot season.
Speaking on the inauguration of the restricted top subways at Kamral and Cacora and a foot overbridge on the Sanvordem Curchorem Railway Station, about 50 km south of Panaji, Sawant mentioned the linear tasks – doubling of railway tracks, a nationwide freeway and the Tamnar energy plant – have been being executed holding the way forward for Goa in thoughts. “Many people oppose for the sake of opposing. They don’t even know who the project is for. They oppose following someone else’s instructions. They oppose only to politicise the issue,” Sawant mentioned.
The three tasks – double-tracking of a rail line from Karnataka’s Hospet to Vasco; laying down a 400-kv energy transmission line and four-laning of the present NH 4A – have been on the centre of a face-off between the federal government and environmentalists.

“We will never cause difficulties for the people. At the outset, we also had differences with railway officials. But we brought them to one platform and resolved the differences. We are prepared to rehabilitate anyone whose home or compound or school is affected. This project is not just for coal,” mentioned Sawant.

He mentioned the state authorities has additionally sought help of the Centre to boost the infrastructure on the Mormugao Port Trust. “As we get assistance from the Centre, we will develop the infrastructure of Mormugao Port Trust. Not only for coal, it will be for exporting our pharma products also for imports that are currently taking place from JNPT. We have sent a proposal to the shipping ministry already,” mentioned Sawant.

“We will go ahead with the Tamnar Power project, the national highway and the doubling of railway tracks. It is not just for coal, it is for tourism, for passengers. We are building the infrastructure that will last the next 50 years,” Sawant mentioned.