On the 2nd of November, thousands of Goans gathered at the railway track in Chandor, South Goa, to protest the South Western Railways’ double-tracking project which is being executed to deliver coal from the state to the steel plants in north Karnataka. This venture would label Goa as a coal transportation hub which in turn would pose a threat to livelihoods and the state’s rich flora and fauna. So in the face of such an opposition, on Thursday, the South Western Railway (SWR) announced its decision to indefinitely adjourn the work at the level crossing at Davorlim.
Goyant Kollso Naka (We don’t want coal in Goa)
Under the banner of ‘Goyant Kollso Naka’ (We don’t want coal in Goa), hordes of protestors were actively present throughout the night and the march began from the Chandor Church Square, vehemently opposing the venture. The demonstrators, had initiated a candle march and they had even taken possession of the railway tracks. They also warned the government of massive agitations, if it fails to listen to the citizens.
The double tracking work at the level crossing at Davorlim was scheduled to commence from12 midnight to 5 AM on Monday. The South Goa Collector had earlier given SWR the required permission to close the road at the level crossing at Davorlim on the 9th of November to pave the way for the plan.
The double-tracking project is one of three linear infrastructure projects which have been planned for Goa but the residents are absolutely against it as all of them pose great dangers for forests and biodiversity in and around Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. The proposed project will cut through the national park, which is one of Goa’s largest protected areas and will lead to chopping down of approximately 59,000 trees. The other two projects are the four-laning of the NH4A and the laying of a 400kV transmission line.
