MARGAO
South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, on Thursday directed Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to remove construction material, including black metal, dumped along the railway tracks at Velsao, which has allegedly blocked the traditional access used by local residents.
The direction came after a delegation of Velsao villagers met the Collector on Thursday morning to raise concerns over the continued blockage of the public access by railway-related works. The delegation was led by Velsao representatives Orville Rodrigues, Fr Eremito Rebelo, besides Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai, former GPCC president Amit Patkar amongst others.
The meeting assumes significance amid growing tension in Velsao over the alleged obstruction of the traditional access and the ongoing railway works in the area.
During the discussions, the villagers maintained that the dumping of construction material, particularly black metal, amounted to an encroachment on land traditionally used by the public. They questioned RVNL’s claim over the property and alleged that the railway authorities had failed to produce documents establishing ownership of the land.
The delegation further claimed that villagers, on the other hand, possess documents to establish their rights over the property in question. They alleged that RVNL was proceeding with its work despite the dispute over ownership and without adequately addressing the concerns of the local community.
After hearing the concerns raised by the delegation, the Collector is understood to have instructed RVNL officials to clear the black metal and other material from the area so that the traditional public access can be restored.
Speaking to The Goan, Collector Egna Cleetus confirmed that RVNL officials had been instructed to clear the black metal to facilitate the reopening of the public access. She said the RVNL officials have informed the administration that work was currently in progress and that the material would be removed from the site within the next few days.
Alternate land being explored for public access
Meanwhile, the district administration is also exploring a longer-term solution to the access issue.
District Collector Cleetus said the Mormugao Deputy Collector has been tasked with examining the availability of alternate land that could be acquired to maintain public access for residents.
According to the Collector, the Deputy Collector will conduct a study to determine whether suitable land is available in the vicinity and can be acquired to provide an alternative access route for a short stretch.
For the villagers, however, the restoration of the traditional access remains the immediate priority, particularly as work related to the railway project continues in the area.
Velsao villagers set Aug 15 deadline to clear blockade 
A large number of people assembled outside the office of South Goa district Collector on Thursday when a delegation of Velsao villagers called on the district Collector.
MARGAO: Velsao villagers and supporters from across Goa have threatened to clear construction material blocking a traditional public access on August 15 if Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) fails to comply with the district administration’s directions.
Velsao representatives led by Orville Rodrigues and Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai said they would mobilise people across Goa to clear the black metal dumped along the 500-metre access on Independence Day.
“The Collector has instructed RVNL to clear the black metal from the public access by August 15. If RVNL does not comply, the people of Velsao and entire Goa will clear it,” Sardesai said.
Flanked by Rodrigues, Fr Eremito Rebelo, GPCC chief Amit Patkar and local villagers, Sardesai accused RVNL of “dadagiri” and warned of mass mobilisation if the material was not removed.
Both Rodrigues and Sardesai welcomed the district administration’s reported position that RVNL had not produced ownership documents to substantiate its claim over the disputed property. Sardesai suggested that the construction material be handed over to the PWD for pothole filling.
Rodrigues said the Collector had accepted the villagers’ contention that the disputed land did not belong to the Railways in the absence of title documents. He said the Collector had directed RVNL official Sahoo to remove the black metal by August 15.
“If the material is not removed, villagers and their supporters will clear the access,” Rodrigues warned.
Patkar said people from across Goa would travel to Velsao to support the villagers and restore access to the traditional route.
The dispute has brought into focus the traditional public access, which villagers say has been used by the public for generations, and RVNL’s claim over the land.
