Delhi, Goa CMs spar on Twitter over rail track-doubling project

Arvind Kejriwal

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal were involved in a war of words on Twitter on Thursday over the South Western Railway's track-doubling project in and around Mollem village in South Goa.

Soon after Aam Aadmi Party supremo Kejriwal urged Sawant to "listen to the voice of people of Goa" and stop the central government from "foisting" the project on Goa, Sawant taunted Kejriwal by suggesting that he was an "expert in creating rifts" between the Centre and states.

"It is heartening to hear that @DrPramodPSawant ji. Goans are opposing double-tracking project. Kindly hear their voice and save Mollem as they are the lungs of Goa. I understand the Centre is forcing this project on Goa. Please stand with the Goans, say NO two the Centre and save Goa from becoming a coal hub," Kejriwal tweeted.

"Dear @ArvindKejriwal ji, doubling of railway tracks is a nation-building exercise. There is no threat to Mollem and we will ensure it remains that way. We will not allow Goa to become a coal hub. Knowing your expertise in creating Centre vs State issues, we will skip your advice," Sawant responded.

The Twitter exchange comes amid a running feud in Goa between members of the ruling BJP and a resurgent AAP over environmental issues.

On Wednesday, Sawant had said that Kejriwal should focus on tackling pollution in Delhi, which was "one of the most polluted cities", instead of commenting on Goa-related issues.

South Western Railway's track doubling project from Castle Rock railway station in Karnataka to the Tinai Ghat station in Goa, is one of the three projects opposed by opposition parties and civil society groups. They claim the project would lead to the axing of nearly 50,000 trees in the reserved forests in and around Mollem village in South Goa.

They also fear that the railway project and expansion of the National Highway 4 would lead to increased transportation of coal imported to the Mormugao Port Trust in South Goa to steel mills in Karnataka's Bellary region.

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