Giving further boost to the call of environmentalists over the Goa rail project.
The Central Empowered Committee appointed by Supreme Court Tuesday made remarks. It said that it does not find any justification for undertaking the rail double-tracking project in Goa.
The project has been subjected to a lot of opposition by environmental experts. In its report, the panel says, a project of this nature will destroy the fragile eco-system of the Western Ghats.
These Ghats are an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Also they are one of the most important wildlife corridors in India.
“In these circumstances it is recommended for the consideration of this Honble Court to revoke the permission granted by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for doubling of the railway track passing through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats…,” it said.
Numerous locals groups have also been raising objections over three linear projects. It includes the double-tracking of the South Western Railway line, four-laning of a national highway and a laying of a power transmission line by the Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Limited.
These projects were cleared by the NBWL’s standing committee. However, there were apprehensions that they would severely affect the bio-diversity of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Park at Mollem.
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