MARGAO
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd was caught completely on the wrong foot by officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) on Saturday, even as the former directed the latter to clear the debris from the rivulet, repair the sluice gate damaged during the filling work and ensure that the water flow is maintained in the water body.
The WRD officials were categorical in saying that the RVNL did not seek any permission for filing up of the water body, and has asked the railway agency to apply to the department to seek permission for the work.
A team of WRD officials along with Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias inspected the rivulet and the old sluice gate, which stands damaged, following the complaints lodged by the Guirdolim villagers.
A WRD official confirmed to the media that the water nullah and the sluice gate have been filled up by the railway agency while executing the project. “We have issued clear directions to the RVNL officials to repair the sluice gate and clear the debris from the water body before the monsoons. The agency has been told to ensure that the water flow is maintained in the water body to prevent flooding in the area,” the official said, adding, “The agency has been told to clear everything from the water body before the onset of the monsoon”.
While confirming that no permission was obtained from the WRD to carry out the work of filling of land, the WRD official said no permission was obtained by the railway agency on the ride side of the tracks. “The agency did take the permission on the other side of the railway track, but there was no application seeking permission for the work on the right side of the track,” the official added.
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias said the WRD officials have told the railways to ensure that the debris dumped in the water body are cleared before the monsoons. “The Railways has assured that it will leave sufficient land for the water flow even though it has acquired the land in question,” Clafacio said, adding that another inspection of the site in question will be held along with Railway officials next month.
