MARGAO
The Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has rejected the contention of the Water Resources Department (WRD) that construction activities at the water body at Guirdoilm to lay the second railway track is in violation of the Goa Irrigation Act, reminding that the Railways had in November 2019 asked the WRD to divert the rivulet in question.
RVNL, however, informed WRD Executive Engineer, Ankush Gaonkar that the recommendations and measures suggested by the WRD to safeguard the sluice gate etc as and when suggested, shall be carefully examined and followed as far as practicable.
Replying to the stop work order cum show cause notice issued by the WRD on Tuesday, RVNL General Manager (Projects) Sashibhusan Sahoo was clear and categorical in saying that since the land was already acquired by the Indian Railways, activities listed under section 11(a) were well within liberty to be undertaken by the Railways. “As such, execution of work in this portion of land may not be construed as violation under the Goa Irrigation Act, 1973”, Sahoo asserted.
He further drew attention of the WRD, Executive Engineers to the RNVL letter dated November 18, 2019 on the shifting of the rivulet falling under survey No 262 of the village, adding that since there was no response from the WRD office advising the railways on the course of action, water was draind out by cleaning the outlet to prevent flooding.
Sahoo further stated that the Indian Railways had acquired land admeasuring 3833 square meters falling under survey no 262 and 261 at Guirdolim and Chandor Panchayat border for the purpose of laying the second line of the railway track as part of the doubling project.
RVNL’s reply comes a day after the WRD had on Tuesday directed the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to immediately stop the ongoing work at Guirdolim.
WRD Executive Engineer had further issued a notice to RVNL General Manager to show cause within a week why action should not be initiated against him under the provisions of the Goa Irrigation Act, 1973 and under rule 1975.
The RVNL General Manager to submit the details such as the land acquisition plan, provision for water flow network of the river and details of drainage of water etc to the WRD office.
The show cause notice had stated that joint inspection by the Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, panchayat members, villagers and the railways had brought to light that the water bodies of Zuari river tributary and the sluice gate at survey No. 260 and 261 at Guirdolimand Chandor Panchayat border has been filled with mud and blocked by the railways during the construction of retaining wall for double tracking of the railway track.
The WRD engineer further stated that the work is being carried out without obtaining the permission from the Canal Officer, thereby violating section 75 of the Irrigation Act, 1973.
Had asked WRD
to divert rivulet
in 2019: Railways
MARGAO: In 2019, the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd had requested the Water Resources Department (WRD) to divert the rivulet (waterway) outside the railway boundary to facilitate the execution of the new track of national importance.
In reply to a notice received from WRD Executive Engineer on June 26, 2019 in respect of the filling up of the rivulet with mud, resulting in the danger of the low lying areas getting flooded, RVNL general manager (projects) Sashibushan Sahoo had pointed out that as the double line work is in progress in this region, the alignment of the new line is coming on the rivulet (waterway).
“It is requested the waterway may be diverted outside railway boundary to facilitate the execution of the new track of national importance. Railway will construct a retaining wall on the edge of the embankment to prevent erosion of soil”, Sahoo had stated in his letter to the WRD dated November 18, 2019.
