SWR urged to conduct another study on ecological impact on Goa’s environment,before it decides on doubling the tracks from Vasco to Kulem in Goa

Prakash Kamat
Panaji,July- In a letter addressed to the DGM Deputy General Manager(DGM),South Western Railways(SWR), regarding the doubling of Railway tracks in Goa sector, a concerned citizen,Neel Vaidya,Panaji has urged that in the best interest of the public, the households along the SWR track from Vasco to Kulem, and the ecological impact on Goa’s environment, it should make additional studies before they decide on doubling the tracks from Vasco to Kulem, and also take in the best interest of the people.
 "I hope you will take additional studies before you decide on doubling the tracks from Vasco to Kulem, and also take the people of Goa into consideration," says
Mr. Vaidya and goes on to raise some pertinent queries and seeks information in public interest:
a)What is the number of houses which will have to be brought down/broken if the tracks are doubled? Is the village wise/taluka wise list of these houses available?
b)Are the owners of the above houses informed about the same?
c)How many of the houses in a) & b) above are heritage homes?
d)The railway tracks, if doubled, will come too close for comfort to how many houses (Village wise/Taluka wise)?
e)Has the SWR done a house to house detailed survey and feedback of existing houses along the SWR tracks in Goa (for noise, pollution, disturbance, etc.)? What is the outcome of this study?
f)Has an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study been done on the SWR double tracking project on the development between Vasco to Kulem portion in Goa?. Is the report made public?
g)Have the SWR authorities spent a few days in the houses of the residents or along the SWR tracks in Goa, to personally experience the difficulties faced (noise pollution, dust/coal pollution, vibrations, etc.)?
 He gas said that if the above information is available on any website, then to guide him to the same. If it is not, the he has requested SWR authorities to put it up on their website for public knowledge and provide him the link to the same.(eom)