log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 276 5 3 Govt makes fresh bid to lift curbs on rail project High-flying aero-sports plan at Quitol hits turbulence GOA Illegal road work on Calangute hill triggers outcry over green cover loss SEEKS REVOCATION OF ABEYANCE ORDER ON FOREST LAND FOR KULEM-KALEM RAIL TRACK DOUBLING THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Nearly a year after its request was rejected, the Goa government has made a fresh pitch to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) seeking revocation of the abeyance order on diversion of 15.6 hectares of forest land for the Kulem– Kalem section of the railway track doubling project. In a revised proposal submitted to the Ministry’s Regional Empowered Committee (REC), the State has relied on a study conducted by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) assessing the project’s impact on biodiversity and ecology within protected areas of the wildlife sanctuary. The State has reiterated that the Supreme Court of India order dated May 9, 2022 applies specifically to the Castle Rock–Kulem stretch and not to the Kulem–Kalem section. The proposal pertains to diversion of forest land under „„Revised proposal submitfor South Western Railway ted to Regional Empowered & RVNL Committee „„Says part of „„Proposal based controversial track on biodiversity, doubling project GOVT’S ecology impact is between TinPUSH FOR aighat (K’taka) & study conducted RAIL by RVNL Vasco da Gama (Goa) PROJECT „„Clarifies that SC order (May 9, „„Stage-II forest 2022) applies only to clearance (April 2022) Castle Rock–Kulem stretch, had approved diversion of not Kulem-Kalem 138.39 ha of forest land „„Proposal involves diver„„Notes partial relief, abeysion of forest land under ance lifted for 1.908 ha in North Goa Forest Division Kulem–Sanvordem stretch FLASHBACK: REC had earlier declined a similar request in March 2025, citing the project stretch’s location within the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone. It had then directed RVNL to carry out a detailed impact assessment study. the North Goa Forest Division in favour of South Western Railway and RVNL, as part of the controversial track doubling project between Tin- aighat in Karnataka and Vasco da Gama in Goa. The project’s wildlife clearances were revoked by the Supreme Court in 2022 following recommen- dations of the court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The REC had earlier declined a similar request in March 2025, citing the project stretch’s location within the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone. In its latest submission, the State noted that Stage-II forest clearance had been granted in April 2022 for three proposals involving diversion of a total 138.39 hectares of forest land. These approvals were subsequently kept in abeyance following the apex court’s May 2022 order. The government also pointed out that the abeyance was later lifted for diversion of 1.908 hectares in the Kulem– Sanvordem stretch, as it involved private forest land and did not fall within the scope of the court’s directive. However, the REC had remained unconvinced regarding the Kulem–Kalem segment, underlining that it lies within a protected area. Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Beyond the Skin: How psoriasis impacts your eyes Stricter SWM rules in Panaji from April 1 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With an aim to strengthen urban cleanliness and ensure scientific waste disposal, the Corporation of the City of Panaji has announced the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which will introduce stricter compliance norms for households, institutions and businesses across the capital. The new rules, notified by the Union Ministry of Environment on January 27, are set to come into force from April 1, 2026. They mark a shift towards more accountable and technology-driven waste management practices in the city. Among the key provisions is the mandatory four-way segregation of waste at source, along with the enforcement of the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle. The framework also has online solid waste management audits and smart monitoring systems to ensure compliance and transparency. A major focus of the revised rules is on Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs), a category that includes large residential complexes, commercial establishments, educational institutions, hospitals and government departments. The CCP has made it compulsory for all BWGs to register through a centralised online portal. 10 SPORTS Amelia Valverde shown the door as AIFF scrambles 14 Victims file plaints; expose boy’s blackmail, crime 3 cases registered so far, reveals SP THE GOAN I NETWORK SANGUEM Two minor victims from Curchorem came forward and filed separate complaints against the accused, Soham Naik (20) of Madegal-Cacora, the son of a municipal councillor, in the Curchorem sex racket case, which has evoked public shock and outrage. CURCHOREM SEX RACKET South Goa Superintendent of Police Santosh Dessai stated that three separate cases have, so far, been registered against the accused and appealed to more victims to come forward and lodge complaints. He assured complete confidentiality for those providing crucial information and said that scientific methods would be employed to gather evidence and ensure that the accused stands duly punished for his alleged wrong doings. In one case, a victim complained Naik had befriended her at Curchorem under the Case handed over to Crime Branch SANGUEM: Barely two days after the arrest of accused Soham Naik, son of a councillor, in the sex scandal case in Curchorem, the case was handed over to the Crime Branch, sparking off anger among the youth in the town. The development raised concerns among residents, particularly local youth, who were already apprehensive about the fairness of the probe following the initial delay in arresting the accused despite the availability of substantial information. The sudden shift of the case from the Curchorem police station to the Crime Branch has further deepened suspicion and uncertainty over the direction of the investigation.  >> See pg 3 false pretext of marriage between January 1 and June 30, 2023. Naik is then accused of having lured the victim to an isolated place on two separate occasions and allegedly committed sexual intercourse against her consent and will. Naik is alleged to have videographed the sexual assault on his mobile phone and circulated the footage to many of his friends. In the second case, another minor girl complained that Naik had contacted her between 2024 and 2025 and had sent her a vulgar photo. He is then alleged to have blackmailed the victim by threatening to expose and circulate details of his alleged relationship with her elder sister. Soham is also accused of having demanded that she share contact details of other girls. Soham has been booked for various offences, including rape and criminal intimidation, under the POCSO Act, Goa Children’s Act and Information Technology Act.