The tranquil nights in Velsao and its surrounding areas have been shattered by the relentless blaring of train horns during the early hours, causing sleepless nights and structural damage to residents’ homes. Despite numerous complaints, the authorities have yet to address the escalating issue, leaving locals frustrated and exhausted.
Residents, particularly senior citizens like Anthony D’Silva, living in close proximity to the railway track, are bearing the brunt of the disturbance. Expressing his dismay, D’Silva stated, “We used to live peacefully without any issues, but now they do what they want, and we can’t do anything. They have disturbed our sleep and peace; we can barely sleep at night due to the loud train horns. We are senior citizens; we need peace and sleep.”
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The problem has worsened due to the increased speed of passing trains, as residents claim they were previously moving at 40 km/hr and now reach alarming speeds of 90-100 km/hr. The acceleration has not only intensified the disturbance but has also led to vibrations causing cracks in the walls of residences.
Despite the persistent pleas from the locals, the authorities have failed to address the matter, leaving residents feeling helpless. The night-time disturbance, occurring between 2 am to 5.30 am, has become a recurring nightmare for individuals of all age groups.
Adding to the litany of complaints is the issue of air pollution caused by coal dust from wagons transporting coal. The combination of disruptive noise and environmental pollution has created an urgent need for intervention from local authorities.
Residents also highlight the additional problem of train passengers carelessly discarding garbage bags, which end up on their properties. Another senior resident voiced his concern, saying, “We cannot tolerate this; they also throw garbage bags from the trains, which even fall on us.”
Freida who just recently moved to Velsao after getting married stated that the loud noise was shocking. “The vibration in the house was bad and I couldn’t sleep due to the disturbing sound of the train. When I went for a walk the next morning, there was coal all over and the dust was making it hard to breathe. I do not know how people live here. There are tracks so close to houses and trains move continuously,” she said.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founder of Goencho Ekvott, remarked that Velsao has lost its tranquillity due to blatant sound and environmental pollution caused by trains. He questioned why the people of Velsao are subjected to such inhumane conditions and expressed concern about the adverse health effects on senior citizens.
“If you’re a resident here, you’ll know that Velsao is no longer pristine. Through the night carriages are overloaded with coal that fall off and the screeching sounds of the wheels on tracks along with the loud train horns is continuous throughout the day and night,” said Rodrigues.
Rodrigues raised concerns about the impact of coal transportation on fields, farmlands, and water bodies, emphasising that the issue will exacerbate with the proposed double tracks, strongly opposed by the residents and Goencho Ekvott.
In their sunset years, the people of Velsao are already enduring health issues due to the sound pollution. “Due to sleep deprivation the senior citizens suffer from pressure problems and other health issues and spend time in hospitals alone,” said Rodrigues.
Olencio Simoes has questioned why, despite the modernization of railways, the train horns remain unchanged, raising doubts about whether regulations against sound pollution apply to trains. “The majority of the younger population has moved abroad, leaving mostly senior citizens in the area, who deserve to enjoy a peaceful living environment and the sound only adds to their health problems,” said Simoes.
Residents are calling for immediate measures to address the night-time disturbance, regulate train speeds, ban the carriages that transport coal and ensure the prevention of pollution and garbage disposal from passing trains.
