Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji (AJD)

Panaji, Feb 28: Goa railway project which will pass through the Western Ghats has received clearance from the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change. The clearance has been given for the diversion of nearly 140 hectares of protected Western Ghats Forest land for the contentious double tracking of the railway line between the Castlerock Railway Station along the Karnataka border with Goa and the Margao Railway station in South Goa.

A total of 50,000 trees will be felled for the project. The consent is being granted based on Goa’s request subject to certain conditions.

The doubling of the railway line along the existing alignment is being staunchly opposed in Goa by some as the line will cut across the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park – these two are Goa’s oldest wildlife sanctuaries -- fearing that besides ecological damage, new construction will destabilise the vulnerable slopes of the Western Ghats mountain range and lead to landslides and other unforeseen consequences.