Land owners from Velsao and other parts of Goa waiting outside the office of ISLR, Margao on Thursday.
MARGAO
Tension and high drama unfolded on Thursday at the office of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) in Margao, as agitated landowners from Velsao gathered for what was scheduled to be the 16th hearing since January 2025.
The landowners have filed objections to the draft Index of Land, asserting ownership and possession of parcels through which the Railways are currently laying a second track.
In a show of solidarity, several prominent figures and activists from across Goa were present at the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex. Among them were Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, GPCC President Amit Patkar, noted environmentalist Claude Alvares, along with anti-track doubling activists John Douglas Coutinho, Olencio Simoes, Orville Dourado, former MLA Alina Saldanha, and Jose Marie Miranda.
However, as in previous hearings, the landowners were informed that the ISLR assigned to the case was on leave. Frustrated by repeated adjournments, they approached another ISLR official, only to be told that the Velsao matter would be taken up after the completion of other cases.
The situation escalated when the presiding ISLR proposed to adjourn the matter to mid-June, prompting strong protests from those present. Landowners and supporters rejected the delay, accusing the administration of intentionally stalling proceedings to allow the South Western Railway to continue work on the second track without resolving ownership disputes.
They argued that the prolonged delay has resulted in grave injustice, claiming that the railways are laying the track without formal acquisition. Pointing out that the ongoing track laying work has blocked access to several houses in Velsao, they made an impassioned plea to the ISRL to dispose the proceedings since the railways have continuously failed to submit their land ownership documents.
After heated exchanges and uproar, the ISLR agreed to reschedule the hearing to May 4, following which the protestors dispersed.
Speaking to media, Orville Dourado expressed dissatisfaction with the process. He noted that despite 16 hearings, no substantive progress has been made, while railway work continues unabated. “This is sheer injustice to the landowners,” he said, adding that people across Goa would soon decide on their next course of action.
Vijai Sardesai warned that continued inaction by authorities could provoke public unrest. He alleged that the Railways are engaged in illegal land acquisition in Velsao and criticised the State government for failing to intervene. “This is nothing short of harassment of law-abiding citizens,” he said.
Claude Alvares pointed out that the Railway Board has issued guidelines urging harmonious engagement with local communities. “In Goa, however, work is being pushed ahead with police protection, disregarding the concerns of the people,” he said.
