VASCO
Fed up with no action coming from authorities, Velsao residents on Saturday gave a four-day ultimatum to Mormugao Dy Collector Ravishekar Nippanikar to act on the alleged encroachment carried out by Railway authorities.
Locals who claimed of a possibility of a third track, have warned of mass agitation if their demands are not met.
The delegation of leaders that comprised of Velsao Sarpanch Diana Gouveia, former MLA Alina Saldanha, Congress leader Olencio Simoes, Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado and others claimed railway authorities are encroaching on their private properties and also destroying the drainage systems.
Velsao Sarpanch Diana Gouveia said the panchayat had made every effort to act against the double tracking work but most of it had fallen on deaf ears.
"I feel the Dy Collector and railways must prove to the people that the land belongs to them and resolve the issue. The locals come to the panchayat, but the solution is not in my hand because railway is claiming that it is their land”, she said.
Congress leader Olencio Simoes said the Mormugao Dy Collector was silent even as the railways carried out the work under police protection.
"We have insisted for a joint inspection and survey of the land so that the issue is resolved. The panchayat and land owners carried out a survey of their land and exposed the Railways of encroaching into private land. Railways are fearlessly carrying out illegalities and criminally trespassing into private properties", said Simoes.
Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado said that the railway work was illegal and posed a danger to the village. "The panchayat issued a stop work notice and halted the work asking railways for the land documents. The work was stopped for around four weeks but has begun now in full force”, he said.
Former MLA Alina Saldanha said that Goa was facing lawlessness on the double tracking project. "There is anarchy in Goa because works of a large magnitude are being carried out in private lands without the consent of the land owners. I request the Government to step in and check the situation in Velsao and take necessary action”, she said.
