The village of Cansaulim-Arrosim-Cuelim (CAC) is well known for a lot of things, be it the majestic Three Kings Chapel atop the hill, or the serene beach shoreline or the many grand heritage structures.
However, the locals fear that if the Central government has its way, the identity of the village can be lost if projects like the double tracking of railway tracks are allowed.
Locals are upset that the Centre is trying to push the project on the people, without taking their opinions into consideration. Even the Cortalim BJP MLA Alina Saldanha has voiced her opposition to the double railway tracking project.
Besides the land acquisition concerns, locals point out that it will not only lead to the destruction of their heritage houses and the natural beauty of the village, it will also cause air pollution given that coal cargo will be transported via the tracks. Some locals added that the CAC panchayat has also resolved to oppose the project.
Against that backdrop, locals have lamented that they are already suffering with the railways, and one such example is the absence of a much needed railway overbridge/footbridge.
Whenever a train passes, villagers have to endure a lengthy ordeal as the railway gates are closed. It also takes them considerable amount of time to get to the other side due to the railway alignment. So much so, villagers, especially school children can be seen moving underneath the parked goods trains, to get to the other side. This has proved to be dangerous and there have been accidents in the past where members of the public have even lost their limbs. To avoid such life-threatening scenarios, locals have been demanding for an alternate solution such as a railway overbridge or a footbridge for years now.
“Cansaulim locals have been demanding for a railway overbridge for many years but all these pleas have fallen on deaf ears. No government is interested in listening to what the people of the village have to say,” quipped a local resident while expressing doubts that such alternative arrangements will materialize anytime soon.
Another major issue that has raised an alarm amongst the villagers is the sand erosion at the beaches. The beaches have taken a toll this monsoon with the cyclone and the heavy monsoon and locals want the authorities to look into the matter at the earliest. They worry that if measures are not taken now, the coastline and the houses and structures of the fishermen stand to get damaged further.
Locals have also raised demands for a good market complex in the village, which would serve as an upgrade to the existing conditions.
There is also a feeling amongst the villagers that the Sports Complex at Cansaulim is underutilized. The village sarpanch informed that there are plans to shift the telephone exchange to these premises.
Regarding the issues of garbage management, the panchayat informed that the solid waste is collected weekly and then this waste is given to an agency for treatment. While the panchayat doesn’t have its own garbage treatment plant to treat its own waste, sources stated that there are plans to make this project a reality.
One mega project that will become a reality soon is the Primary Health Centre. Once completed, the upgraded Centre will cater to the locals of the neighbouring villages as well, and it will offer a variety of medical services.
