VASCO
Opposition against the double tracking work gained momentum on Friday morning as residents, activists and political parties gathered on the tracks at Velsao.
A joint inspection was planned to be carried out by Mormugao Dy Collector Ravishekar Nippanikar but till late afternoon, the deputy collector did not arrive at the site and gave the inspection a miss.
Speaking to media, Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado said the villagers had decided to confront the Railways and not allow double tracking anywhere in the entire village of Velsao, Cansualim and Arossim.
"We have united as one voice against double tracking and more than 60-plus organisations have extended support to us in this fight. Villagers will ensure that no encroachment and criminal trespass will be allowed here and we have also spoken to our legal team who are ready.”
“We will not allow the double tracking works in any area of Velsao, Cansualim, Arossim and Issorcim because the land acquisition by railways has been challenged and the railways advocate have been unable to provide ownership documents to the court. Let the railways establish its right on this land and until then, we will not back off," said Dourado.
Goencho Ekvott demanded that unless a joint site inspection is carried out with departments concerned and RVNL along with the local landowners, a total status quo should be maintained failing which law and order could arise in the villages along the coast.
"No matter what happens, we will not backtrack even if they bring a huge security force. We have already charted our plans,” said Dourado.
“The government treats us like third class citizens and the deputy collector insults us every time. The other day, he flung Portuguese-era ownership land documents on the face of an elected representative in front of the villagers. We have now decided that meetings should be held at neutral venues and we will not to go to his office for any meeting from now on," said Dourado.
Former Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha said there was documented evidence that works were being carried out in private lands.
"The Railways are trespassing into private properties without a word to the owner and working as they please. They know that this will destroy the lives of people and in some case a house has one track in front and the second track behind it. The government must assess and find out how much the impact could be on the lives of the people if they go ahead with double tracking. The government is literally throwing the people out of their own homes,” said Saldanha.
