VASCO
Members of Goencho Ekvott (GE) on Thursday agitated outside the office of the Dy Collector demanding halting of personal hearings over acquisition of land for double-tracking project.
GE said that co-owners of land were not allowed to present their concerns and hinted that they would have to approach the court against personal hearings.
Speaking to media persons, Olencio Simoes said the procedure adopted was wrong.
"My land is going and I am a co-owner but they are not allowing me to enter inside (the Dy Collector’s office) and neither have the co-owners been issued notices nor allowed to raise their objections. While the acquisition has been carried out under Right to Compensation Act, the government is trying to acquire land through 1989 Acquisition Act,” said Simoes.
“We had demanded that the personal hearing be cancelled because all the panchayats have opposed double-tracking project and the Chief Minister is also on record that he would be instrumental in reduction of coal handling, then whhere is the need for double tracking? It looks like the Railways cannot be controlled by the Government.”
Heta Pandit, Chairperson of Goa Heritage Action Group was of the view that heritage houses, which form part of the history and legacy of Goa, would crumble with the Railways laying the double track. “We have conducted studies in 4 villages -- Velsao, Pale Arossim and Cansaulim -- and in these villages alone there are around 150 heritage houses which are around 150 to 200 years old and already structural cracks are visible caused by the existing single track. Just imagine the damage double track will cause to these houses with high-speed trains moving frequently.”
Cresen Antao, co-convenor of GE said that approaching the court for justice would be the final option to stop personal hearings which take frequently to acquire land using illegal procedures.
