Invokes powers under Panchayati Raj Act, asks Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to show permissions from local body
MARGAO
In a development that has brought to the fore questions on permissions for constructions by the railways, the Sao Jose de Areal village panchayat has directed the project manager of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to immediately stop the construction works at the railway gate and railway station at Ralloi.
Invoking powers under section 64(j) of the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, Sarpanch Vincy Mascarenhas has directed the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to stop the construction activity until such time valid licenses are granted by the authorities or a proper explanation showing the railways right to carry out the construction within the jurisdiction of the village panchayat.
The stop-work order comes against the backdrop of the joint inspection carried out by the panchayat in the presence of railway officials, complainant Fidelis Freddy Travasso and the villagers earlier this week.
During the inspection, it was found that the railways has undertaken the construction of a gate room and power room at the Nessai railway gate and the railway station at Ralloi, Areal.
In the stop-work order, the sarpanch pointed out that the panchayat records do not show any permission granted to the railways to carry out the construction work.
Work on the double-tracking project is in full swing in Sao Jose de Areal, according to the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. It claimed the work of laying tracks was being undertaken within the railway property.
The villagers, however, pointed out that the railways has constructed two rooms near the Nessai station, further questioning why it did not seek permission from the panchayat.
While the railway officials invoked the Railways Act to drive home the point that constructions undertaken by them do not require permission from local bodies, this was hotly contested by the villagers. They insisted that the panchayat issue a stop-work order to the railways.
Senior panchayat officials are believed to have taken the stand that the question of whether the railways is exempted from obtaining permissions for construction work under the Railways Act will be known as and when the railways reply to the stop-work order notice.
Areal villagers had been at the forefront in opposing the double-tracking project over the last two years, with the panchayat body and the gram sabha adopting a host of resolutions opposing the project tooth and nail.
The villagers had questioned the construction work and demanded that the railways produced the land acquisition documents to lay their claim on the land.
