RailEnquiry

The State government may have rejected the South Western Railway’s proposal to double the rail line between Hospet (Karnataka) and Vasco, but the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) has insisted that the added rail track will not only help the MPT, but also the State at large. MPT Chairman P Mara Pandiyan has not given up on efforts to persuade authorities on the importance and benefit of the doubling of the track between Hospet and Vasco, even though the project was snubbed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. It may be recalled that Parrikar had refused permission to double the track of South Western Railways in the State. “The state is happy with the single line and does not need to double it,” Parrikar had told reporters in July. He claimed that the proposal of increasing the tracks had been mooted at the behest of few industries which wanted to transport coal from MPT. The chief minister had felt that industrial activity in the state was unlikely to be increased due to this new project. Incidentally, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral had also supported the doubling of the track, claiming that it would boost business in the hinterland areas. Speaking to Herald, Pandiyan said the MPT has been writing to the Ministry of Railways to increase the port connectivity. “At present, the single rail track is creating congestion due to which goods cannot be moved immediately. Connectivity is most important for any prompt activity and unless we get rail connectivity, we will not be able to move the goods,” said Pandiyan. “The economy of the State and the port depends on road and rail connectivity. This is very important because as we grow, we need to have double rail lines and better road connectivity,” he added. Pandiyan claimed that the MPT would be in a position to expand with the doubling of railway lines. “Expansion will not only benefit the port, but even the state as a whole as it will facilitate easy flow and export of cargo,” said the MPT chairman. Citing the import of wood chips as an example, Pandiyan stated that the cargo had helped many to gain employment. “Wood chips have also promoted the business for truck owners, as they were previously idle. As infrastructure expands, it is bound to create good asset to the state and the country as a whole,” Pandiyan said. Asked to comment on the State government’s objections to the doubling of the rail line, Pandiyan said: “I have been meeting many traders in Belgaum and they have been demanding good connectivity to transport the containers and other goods between Belgaum to the Mormugao port.” “By good connectivity, these traders meant either road or rail connectivity between Belgaum and Goa. But since the road from Belgaum to Panjim via Anmod is very bad, big container trucks find it difficult to negotiate the difficult Ghat areas. The only option is to offer better rail connectivity, as it is also a cheap means of transport,” said Pandiyan. Pandiyan has suggested that the doubling of the rail track would also benefit the State government. “A double rail track will help improve the transportation of commodities without any hindrance. This track can be used by the State government to transport vegetables from Belgaum to Goa at cheaper rates and this, in turn, will help the people of Goa,” said Pandiyan.   Incidentally, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral had also supported the doubling of the track, claiming that it would boost business in the hinterland areas. Speaking to Herald, Pandiyan said the MPT has been writing to the Ministry of Railways to increase the port connectivity. “At present, the single rail track is creating congestion due to which goods cannot be moved immediately. Connectivity is most important for any prompt activity and unless we get rail connectivity, we will not be able to move the goods,” said Pandiyan [H]