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RVNL accused of dumping debris into Velsao creek

Officials hold joint inspection; Activists call upon CM to act

RVNL accused of dumping debris into Velsao creek
Officials of various departments along with Goencho Ekvott members, Orville Dourado, Olencio Simoes and other villagers during a joint site inspection at Velsao.

VASCO

Acting on a complaint by Goencho Ekvott and the subsequent instructions by the Mormugao Mamlatdar, officials from different departments on Wednesday afternoon conducted a joint site inspection of the Velsao creek on account of double tracking work by the RVNL.
Officials from the Survey & Land Records, Taluka level Committee, City Survey, Town Planner, Range Forest Officer, PWD, Mormugao Planning & Development Authority were present along with the complainant Orville Dourado Rodrigues (GE Founder Member) and Olencio Simoes (GE Joint Secretary) along with some local residents.
The GCZMA had already carried out an inspection and has filed a report on the issue.
GE Founder Member Orville Dourado Rodrigues claimed the RVNL has dumped hundreds of truckloads of construction debris and mud into the creek and the water canals all along the Western side of the existing single railway tracks which have served the villages for generations.
“I have also informed officials that GCZMA has clearly stated in their inspection report that the mud dumped alongside the existing railway tracks on the western side should be removed before the onset of the monsoon," said Dourado.
"We call upon Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to act immediately in the best interest of the residents of Goa, to ensure that people are not threatened by floods during the impending monsoon season," said Dourado.
Andrea de Souza, executive member of the Village Bio-Diversity Management Committee, said that despite several visits by officials concerned, there has been no positive change in the quality of water in the creek.
"I urge the administration to quickly ensure that the destruction of the three water bodies along the canals be restored to their original condition, failing which there will be irreversible consequences on the flora and fauna in the village ecosystem which has been handed down from generation to generation," said de Souza.
GE Joint Secretary Olencio Simoes said despite the tree-cutting licence issued by the forest department lapsing in April, hundreds of fruit-bearing and forest trees have been felled to make way for the double tracks.  
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Burglary at Shiroda temple

The Goan Network
Published May 25, 2023, 12:59 AM IST
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PONDA: A burglar broke into the Mandaleshwar temple at Vaje-Shiroda on Monday night and stole the silver crown of the deity and some other objects.The incident came to light on Tuesday morning and the Ponda police was notified.CCTV footage captured a person’s image during the burglary and police are on the lookout for the accused.Ponda police is investigation the case under the supervision of PI Vijaykumar Chodankar.

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