MARGAO
Exactly six years after thousands of people converged on the heritage village of Chandor to participate in the historic midnight agitation against railway track doubling, the Indian Railways is preparing to lay the second track at Level Crossing No. 26 in Velsao, signalling further progress towards completing the controversial project in South Goa.
South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus has granted permission for the partial and temporary closure of the road and the diversion of vehicular traffic at Velsao Level Crossing No. 26 to facilitate the track-laying work. The closure will be in force from 10 pm on October 12 to 5 am on October 13.
The permission was granted following a request by the General Manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL). The proposal received no-objection clearances from the South Goa Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), South Goa.
The Collector’s order provides for the partial and temporary closure of the internal road leading to Velsao Beach and Dando Beach from the Cansaulim-Majorda Major District Road (MDR), enabling the railway authorities to carry out the work at Level Crossing
No. 26.
The development comes nearly six years after thousands of Goans from across the State descended on Chandor on the intervening night of October 31 and November 1, 2020, to participate in a historic midnight agitation opposing the proposed doubling of the railway track. The protesters had raised concerns that the project was being implemented primarily to facilitate the transportation of coal from the Mormugao Port Trust.
Since then, RVNL has completed the laying of the double track along the Chandor-Sao Jose de Areal-Davorlim stretch of the South Western Railway network. The focus has now shifted to completing track-doubling work along the Cansaulim-Velsao-Sancoale stretch, where the Railways has faced strong opposition from local residents.
The Velsao stretch of the double-tracking project has also faced strong opposition from local residents, who have raised several concerns, including issues related to land ownership.
The proposed work at Level Crossing No. 26 marks another step in the railway authorities’ efforts to complete the track-doubling project in South Goa, which has triggered widespread public opposition since 2020.
The Collector issued the order under Sections 115 and 116 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, read with Government Notification No. 5/28/88-TPT (Part), dated September 26, 1989.
Project nears finish, bulk of work completion by Feb 2027
MARGAO: The controversial railway double-tracking project in Goa is inching closer to completion, with the proposed laying of the second track at the level crossing at Velsao on Monday.
Sources in RVNL told The Goan that the agency has already completed the double-tracking work between Kulem and Sanvordem, as well as on the Chandor-Sao Jose de Areal-Davorlim stretch. The focus is now shifting to the remaining sections, including the Cansaulim-Velsao-Sancoale corridor and the Vasco stretch.
“After the laying of the double track at Velsao, RVNL will complete the work on the Cansaulim-Velsao-Sancoale stretch of the South Western Railway,” an official said.
The official added that the Vasco section would be among the major remaining stretches to be completed. Work on this section is progressing at a fast pace, and the agency is hopeful of completing it by the end of December 2026 or in January 2027.
RVNL officials have indicated that, barring the ghat section, the double-tracking project across the Goa sector is expected to be completed in all respects by February 2027. This would mark a major step towards wrapping up the bulk of the long-pending and controversial infrastructure project in the state. “Only the double-tracking work on the Kulem-Kalem and Kulem-Castle Rock sections will remain on the Goa sector. This work will be taken up after receiving the go-ahead from the concerned authorities,” the official said.
The remaining work on these sections is contingent on the necessary approvals, while the ongoing works elsewhere are expected to bring the project closer to its targeted completion date.
The railway double-tracking project in Goa has remained controversial, with concerns raised over its environmental and social implications.
With the Velsao track-laying work expected to take place on Monday, RVNL is looking to complete most of the double-tracking works in Goa by early 2027, leaving the ghat sections dependent on future clearances and approvals.
Conditions imposed on RVNL for road closure permission
The Applicant/Contractor is directed to obtain all requisite prior permission’s from all other competent authorities and ensure that regular movement of vehicular traffic on the site is not disturbed/blocked and since there is no alternate route for the for the movement of four wheelers proceeding towards Dando Velsao hence alternate/temporary access should be provided for the four wheelers & emergency vehicles adjacent to the level crossing
The Applicant/Contractor is directed to inform the exact date for the commencement of said works to T.C. Vasco and local police, well in advance and display proper signage’s, indicting light for diversion/closure/work in progress for guidance to the motorist, particularly during night and to depute sufficient number of security guards/traffic marshal with retro reflective jackets for diversion of traffic
The Applicant/contractor is directed to ensure that area around the work site should be properly/strongly barricaded to prevent untoward incidents. The barricading should be properly illuminated with red light, glowing/reflective tapes and also erect proper signage’s of Road Closed, No Entry, take Diversion etc. for information of the motorists
If the Applicant fails to abide by the conditions laid above, the NOC/Permission granted by the authorities and this Order shall stand revoked and render the applicant liable for legal action as per law
