VASCO
Cortalim MLA Anton Vas on Thursday criticised Monday’s protest near the railway track in Velsao, alleging that it was creating confusion rather than addressing the concerns of residents affected by the railway double-tracking project.
Addressing the media in Velsao, Vas and social worker Roquezinho D’Souza questioned the purpose of the agitation. Vas described it as a “float parade” and said protesters appeared unclear whether their demand was restoration of access or scrapping of the double-tracking project.
Vas said the issue had been pending since 2011 and questioned why it had not been resolved despite several Cortalim MLAs and ministers being in power. He noted that the Collem-Vasco double-tracking project spans around 75 km, with only about 500 metres in Velsao remaining incomplete. “The project may not be scrapped for half a kilometre. At this stage, the best we can do is solve the problems and issues of the affected people,” Vas said.
The MLA said he had invited affected residents to discuss their individual concerns after taking office in 2022, but some insisted that the entire project be scrapped. He said he had proposed approaching the Railways to resolve specific issues, including protecting houses and providing infrastructure.
Vas claimed several concerns had already been addressed, including saving houses, constructing an underpass at Cansaulim and providing paver pathways to homes in Velsao. He said he was in Panaji during Monday’s protest and maintained that he remained accessible to constituents. “If they want access, we can always sort out the issue by sitting across the table,” he said, urging protesters not to “misguide people” for publicity.
D’Souza called for an open debate, questioning how the Railways’ name came to be recorded in land documents and why landowners allegedly failed to object earlier.
He also alleged that some earlier opponents of double-tracking later accepted crores in compensation for land acquired for the project.
