the goan I network
VASCO
Upset over the South Goa district administration’s threat to invoke the compulsory land acquisition clause to acquire land for the double-tracking project, the Velsao deputy sarpanch Sylvia D’Souza has warned that people would oppose moves to forcibly go ahead with the work.
When contacted, D’Souza said the compulsory land acquisition clause would be anti-people and against the interest of the State, adding that people would be forced to come on the roads against the decision.
“This clause to forcibly impose the acquisition of land against public wishes is ‘dadagiri’. If the railways wanted to undertake double-tracking, they should have acquired the land earlier. After several inspections with the villagers, our MLA Alina Saldanha and railway officials, railway authorities realised that people did not want the doubling of tracks.”
“The union railways minister had mentioned that if people don’t want to give their land, they would cancel the plan or plan a diverted track.”
“So invoking this compulsory land acquisition clause despite objections from our MLA means that the railway authorities want to act against the State government and its elected representatives,” said the Velsao deputy sarpanch.
D’Souza warned that people would be forced to protest because there are several houses, some of which are heritage ones, in close proximity of the present railway tracks and are already having issues with the existing tracks.
“While residents in the village near the coast are suffering from high tide issues, people in the middle are having issues due to the railway tracks. We will not allow dadagiri and we will take a representation of villagers to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the governor as well,” added D’Souza.
Former panch and social activist Roquezinho D’Souza warned that they would petition the courts to bring a stay if a compulsory land acquisition clause is invoked.
“We should realise that the railways want double tracks only to transport goods and not to ferry passengers and serve the people. Railways had recently issued a statement on profits due to transportation of cargo.”
“Double tracking will destroy houses and also create huge noise and cargo pollution which will affect residents. I am willing to give the panchayat a good advocate free of cost to take up the matter in court and seek a stay, if the compulsory acquisition clause is involved.”
“The railways must invite us for a meeting along with MLA Alina Saldanha and discuss with us on the rehabilitation and other process, before the compulsory land acquisition clause is invoked,” added the social activist.
After struggling to get land for the double tracking project, especially on the Margao-Vasco stretch, the South Goa district administration on Wednesday had warned those opposing the double tracking project that the State government would be forced to write to Centre to issue notification invoking the compulsory land acquisition clause under the Railway Act, 1989 to acquire land for the project.
At a meeting with railway and other officials in the district Collectorate on Wednesday, District Collector Ajit Roy had admitted that efforts to obtain consent of parties concerned to the procurement of land for the Margao-Vasco track doubling project passing through Cansaulim, Pale, Issorcim, Dabolim, Chicalim and Vasco had failed despite multiple attempts being made by the government.
Procurement of land admeasuring 26228 sq mts along the Majorda-Vasco stretch has come in for strong opposition from people led by Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, on grounds that double tracking would only destroy ancestral houses as the line will come up close to human habitation along the course.
