PANAJI
Goencho Ekvott along with the residents of all the seven villages of Nuvem constituency submitted a memorandum to the MLA of Nuvem Constituency Wilfred D’sa highlighting the issues faced by the local residents particularly with respect to the ongoing Railway works by the South Western Railway and Konkan Railways in Majorda, Utorda and the three linear projects passing through Mollem.
Goencho Ekvott Women’s Wing Convener Ella Mascarenhas apprised the MLA how the residents along both side of the railway tracks were facing unbearable hardships that was having a bearing on their physical and mental health particularly on account of the fugitive coal dust from overloaded wagons.
Dixon Vaz questioned the MLA whether he has received any survey plans from the Railway Authorities, and informed him that the neighbouring MLA Alina Saldanha has whole heartedly supported the people’s movement against double tracking & coal and that she had also obtained the survey plans from the South Western Railways where the affected areas of the proposed land acquisition is clearly shown.
Royla Fernandes from Benaulim apprised Mr. Wilfred D’sa about the deadly effect of the fugitive coal dust on the environment. She told the MLA that if the trees in Mollem and surrounding areas are allowed to be felled to make way for the three mega projects, then this will cause a drop in the oxygen levels.
Founder of Goencho Ekvott Engr. Orville Dourado Rodrigues briefed the MLA about the destruction that would cause to the residential houses all along the railway tracks. He informed the MLA that an entire hamlet at Moddo, Pale (all of whom are engaged in traditional occupations) will be razed to the ground to make way for the second tracks.
Wilfred D’sa gave a very patient hearing to those assembled. He said that he was not much aware about the railway double tracking matter since no one had approached him even for the meetings conducted by Goencho Ekvott.
The impromptu meeting concluded with a demand by all those assembled that the land acquisition proceedings initiated by the deputy collector at Vasco da Gama must be scrapped immediately and that the Railways Act imposed upon the advice of the Goa cabinet (of ministers) should be withdrawn herewith. Wilfred D’sa promised to take up the matter with the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant and convey to him of the feelings of the people of Nuvem constituency in particular, and from other parts of Goa in general, to which he received a loud applause.
