MARGAO
All roads lead to Goa’s ancient capital Chandor on Sunday night as the battle lines appear clearly drawn between the people opposing double-tracking and coal transportation projects and the authorities even as railways appeared hell bent on laying the double track at the Chandor railway crossing on the intervening night of November 1-2.
Organizations opposing track doubling and coal transportation projects have given a call to the people of Goa to descend at Chandor in large numbers for an unprecedented midnight vigil as the railways are expected to lay the double track at midnight.
With both South Goa district Collector, Ajit Roy and the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd senior officer Sahoo remaining tight-lipped on the representations and petitions received from the organization and political parties to revoke the NOC issued for the laying of track at the railway crossing, the organization have been left with no option than to give a call to the people of Goa to come in large numbers at Chandor at around 10 pm on Sunday, two hours before the railways are expected to start work on laying the double track on the railway crossing at 00.00 hours.
Goyant Kollso Naka and Goencho Ekvott, an umbrella organization of various NGOs, social groups and concerned citizens formed to oppose the destructive projects being thrust on the state, have issued an appeal to the people of Goa and all organizations to join the peaceful vigil on Sunday night at 10 pm.
Goencho Ekvott convenor Creson Antao said various organizations and people in general will join the peace vigil at the Chandor on November 1 at 10 pm in large numbers.
Goyant Kollso Naka Co-convenor Abhijit Prabhudesai on Saturday made a fervent plea to the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to review the decision to undertake the work of laying the double track at the Chandor railway station, but in vain.
Goyant Kollso Naka convenor Antonio D’Silva has also called upon the people of Goa to come in large numbers at 10.30 pm on November 1 to participate in the peaceful protest at Guirdolim-Chandor railway crossing.
GKN also called upon the people to join the movement at the site irrespective of any statements made by the government in view of the complete loss of trust in those who are presently taking these anti- people and anti-national decisions.
Condemning the government for refusing to listen to the genuine demands of the people of Goa to stop the double tracking works, which are purely for the transportation of coal from Goa, GKN said “despite numerous requests from all sections of the society and the overwhelming decision of Goans to stop coal transportation through Goa, the government is arrogantly continuing to work for the profits of Adani, Jindal and Vedanta, ignoring the reasoned and irrefutable arguments of the people of Goa.
