VASCO
Goencho Ekvott and Goenche Ramponkarancho Ekvott strongly opposed the construction work carried out by South Western Railway’s contractor Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) at Mollo, Pale village.
The organisations claim that SWR has violated rules by cutting hills and blocking the rivulet with mud, disrupting the flow from the fresh water spring into the rivulet at Mollo, Pale Village.
Villagers, mainly from fishing and toddy tapping communities, reported significant hill cutting. They fear mudslides during the impending monsoon, as their houses below the hillock and age-old stone embankments providing protection have been destroyed.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founder member of Goencho Ekvott, expressed sorrow over the hardships caused by SWR’s construction for the coal corridor in coastal Goa.
He urged authorities, including GCZMA, WRD, and Forest Dept., to inspect the area urgently and take action to prevent dwellings from collapsing in the upcoming monsoon.
Olencio Simoes, Gen. Secretary of Goenche Ramponkarancho Ekvott, highlighted illegalities by SWR’s contractor, such as filling the rivulet with mud and hill cutting, putting Mollo, Pale village at risk of landslides.
He appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and the local Collector to assist the community and ensure residents’ safety.
