Congress questions safety of Mumbai-Goa fast train

Panaji, July 8 (IANS) The Congress in Goa has demanded to know whether a feasibility study was carried out for a high-speed train on the treacherous, accident-prone Konkan Railway route connecting Mumbai and Goa.

The state BJP Tuesday welcomed Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda's announcement of the high-speed train on the route in the course of his maiden Railway Budget.

"Goa-Mumbai high speed train is a welcome step," South Goa BJP MP Narendra Savoikar said, calling Gowda's budget "holistic" in its approach.

The Congress, however, raised questions about the excessive thrust on the public-private partnership (PPP) model and the risks on the accident-probe Konkan Railway route.

"The government has spoken about running a high-speed train on the Mumbai-Goa route in its budget. Are they aware of the route through which the Konkan Railway track passes? Has the government done feasibility study of the same?" asked Goa Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat.

The relatively new Konkan Railway route passes through a rugged mountainous terrain and has seen several accidents in the past.