THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Several residents from Cansaulim have objected to the process of land acquisition for the railway overbridge project at Cansaulim.
The residents, who had gone to Vasco for a personal hearing before Mormugao Dy Collector Sachin Desai, claimed that an underpass for pedestrians and light motor vehicles would solve the purpose without acquiring land, thereby ensuring a cheaper and better alternative.
Speaking to reporters, Olencio Simoes said that notices were now being sent for acquiring land for the railway overbridge project.
"People were earlier being sent notices for acquisition of land for double tracking and now, they are being sent notices for yet another railway overbridge development project, both of which are opposed by the people.”
“If coal cargo is reduced, trains will be reduced and people will have no issues of crossing and there is no need for a railway overbridge which is of about 3 kms in length.”
Today, we have an 8-mtr MDR road which is planned for the national highway. Where should people go, with separate setbacks for railway tracks, highway setback and railway overbridge setback,” asked Simoes.
He said they had given an option to the dy collector in writing that they did not need the railway overbridge.
“The government can go for an underpass or expand the existing underpass which will help the people without further land acquisition," said Simoes.
Another resident, Gerald Fernandes, said the railway overbridge would cause great destruction to Arossim, Cansalim and Cuelim villages.
"The flyover is considered in lieu of the railway gate crossing, which is unjust. Authorities have a hidden plan to have a Major District Road from Velsao to Mobor. Three ancestral heritage houses built before 1947 will be affected because of the railway overbridge and many more houses will have the railway overbridge on their footsteps after land is acquired for the project,” said Fernandes.
He alleged that the railway overbridge between Velsao and Cansaulim is to facilitate the hotel lobby and not for villagers.
“The railways want to have a wall in front of the railway overbridge and many houses will have this wall on their doorsteps. The underpass is a better option as it will connect to existing PWD roads in the village.”
“While the railway overbridge may cost Rs 30 crore, an underpass will cost Rs 3 crore. Around 30 people will be affected and the hearing is fixed for March 8 since railway authorities did not arrive on Monday," said Fernandes.
"We had written to the railways for an underpass and they have agreed in principle for an underpass using MP funds and we also wrote to the MP and the Panchayat to adopt a resolution, but it has got stuck in politics," added Fernandes.
30 people called for personal hearing: Dy Collector
VASCO: Mormugao Dy Collector Sachin Desai said the hearing had begun on Monday and around 30 people who had raised objections would be called for a personal hearing.
"We call not more than 10 persons per day and I am attending to their grievances. There are around 30 objectors and the hearing will go on until all issues are resolved and an order is passed.”
“We will also have railway authorities here because most people don't know how much land they are losing and we will have to go in details and also have site inspection, if required. The railway overbridge project is a proposal of the South Western Railways" said Desai.
