Konkan Railway

The Konkan Railway was arguably one of the earliest infrastructure projects that destroyed estuaries, paddy fields and khazan land, cut through fields, villages and destroyed eco-sensitive zones. Of the 106 km of the railway line in the state, the controversial part was along 55 km between Mayem and Balli in South Goa. The Konkan Railway Realignment Committee (KRRAC) agitated for the railway route to be shifted away from the coast towards the hinterland where there was less population density. By 1993, then Prime Minister of India issued stop work orders. An inquiry commission set up subsequently to investigate issues however, ruled in favor of the new alignment and work resumed. This was one of the largest long standing agitations in the state.