VASCO
The Velsao Gram Sabha on Sunday resolved to fight against the diversion of Mhadei, coal spillage and coal transportation, and to go to court over a piece of land claimed by the Railways as theirs.
Velsao sarpanch Diana Gouveia said that the meeting was peaceful and resolutions were accepted on coal transportation and the Mhadei issue.
"We have resolved to stop coal transportation and even go to the court for the 10-metre land that is being claimed by the Railways as their property. Our people from Velsao are suffering and we have taken a resolution to stop the spillage of coal cargo during transportation, and we hope the government takes necessary action."
Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado said that five resolutions were unanimously accepted in the Gram Sabha meetings.
"The first resolution was to stop the transportation of coal from Upasnagar Junction through Pale and Velsao. We also have trains passing through all night with blaring horns and we have demanded that there should be no train horns from 8 pm to 7 am. The third proposal was to reduce train speed to 40 km per hour because many feel the vibration in houses, especially old houses can have cracks with trains moving at around 100 km/hr presently. We have also noticed the overloading of trains which leads to spillage and coal dust causing pollution. The Gram Sabha also expressed support against the diversion of Mhadei because this water will be supplied to steel mills and sugar cane plantations in Karnataka," said Dourado.
Former panch Roquezinho D'Souza said that he had placed the proposal of standing in support against the fight to prevent Mhadei diversion.
"We need to understand the details of the Mhadei issue, and sloganeering or asking CM to step down will not change the situation. We have seen how an advocate has explained the issues we face and how the CM can present our case in court. I have informed the panchayat that I can call a top-level advocate and get them for awareness with all details on the Mhadei issue," said D'Souza.
