Vas’s claim on double track solution is false: Alina

Panaji: Former Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, on Thursday, said the present MLA Antonio Vas’ claim of him having found a solution to the South Western Railway’s (SWR) double track issue was not true.
“If Vas has got the rail authorities to shift the track to the eastern side, he must show the locals the area available there,” Saldanha said, adding, “As far as I know, the major district road (MDR) lies on the eastern side, and also has houses on either side.”
Saldanha, a former minister, also pointed out that a hospital was constructed there during her tenure, and areas around hospitals are silent zones. “Since a MDR requires a setback of 12.5m on either side, where is the land to lay the second track.”
She also sought to know how Vas was going to stop coal pollution as well as high decibels of noise that would be caused by the shifting of tracks. “Also, dust pollution will not be limited to the people living in the villages located close to the double track,” she added.
“The winds from Vasco carry coal dust from the harbour straight into the living rooms of Dona Paula,” she said.