Goa, Sept. 2 -- Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's office has dismissed reports of large-scale land acquisition for the railway double-tracking project, saying only 0.6 hectares are being taken in Cansaulim, Sancoale, and Issorcim. The clarification, citing Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, said the limited acquisition is for slope stabilisation, safeguarding homes, road access, and alignment corrections.

The government reiterated that the project aims to promote tourism and improve freight efficiency without expanding coal handling capacity. Sawant insisted coal volumes would remain unchanged.

However, the railways ministry sparked controversy on Sunday, tweeting that the Hospet-Vasco track doubling would accelerate coal, iron ore, and steel m...