SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
Cansaulim: On the face of it, the people’s agitation is against the immediate proposed expansion of the railway tracks in the area, which will make them lose their land, homes and the serenity of their peaceful lives.
But there’s anger also burning against what they feel is the root cause of this expansion. So there are two connected people’s movements, feeding off and giving fuel to each other.
In Tuesday’s protests, the Deputy Collector Mormugao, who is the land acquisition officer (See project snapshot in our lead story on Page 1) was urged by locals and the Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha to revoke the land acquisition notices issued recently in connection with this project.
Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco, who was present at the site inspection for the doubling of railway track project, said that this issue was raised by him in the Assembly in 2012 when the late Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister. “At that time Parrikar had assured me that the berth number 9 and 10 f the Mormugao Port Trust (Coal berths) will not be given to the private player (for unloading and subsequent transportation of imported coal) as we have opposed it. It looks like they are trying to sell the whole port to few private players.”
He further said that when he had raised this issue of double tracking, initially nobody (in the govt) cared. Reginaldo further claimed that this doubling of track project is solely for the transportation of coal and to benefit few business tycoons. “We must come together to oppose this project,” he added.
He also mocked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for not having regular Assembly sessions when the CM himself is assuring people that nothing to worry about by saying "Bhivpachi Garaz Naa".
Elvis Gomes, Aam Aadmi Party leader, said that people in large numbers had gathered at Cansaulim to witness the site inspection despite the COVID pandemic.
“That is the cause of concern. We are surprised why this doubling of railway track project issue is not extensively discussed in the Assembly session. Then the people will understand who is with the people of Goa," said Gomes.
He further opined that a special Assembly session to discuss and decide on the Doubling of railway track project should take place.
Social activist Abhijit Prabhudessai said that the people who had gathered on Tuesday near Cansaulim railway station for doubling of railway track project were questioning for whom the doubling of railway track is for.
“Railway officials replied that they are aware about the objective of this additional track, but people know that this project is actually for transportation of coal,” he added.
Abhijit further said that this project is being pushed and imposed on the local people to benefit a few big business houses who are into coal.
“Today when people raised some queries to the railway authorities on this project, they were unable to give satisfactory answers. Also, even after asking them to do so, the railway authorities did not bring the survey plans,” he added.
Prabhudessai mentioned that local people from Cansaulim, Velsao and coastal villages have demanded that the notices, which were issued for the land acquisition under the Railways Act, on June 19, should be revoked immediately.
“People from all over Goa will not allow such a draconian project to come and will oppose it tooth and nail,” he added.
Anthony Dsilva, senior activist from Cansaulim village said that this movement is a people’s movement and not a political movement. “Dudhsagar, Mahavir National Park and Mollem wildlife sanctuary etc is getting affected because of this doubling project,” he added. He further said that they will not allow the govt to bring the doubling railway track project.
“Today with us, there are thousands of people and if need arises than we will get together lakhs of people to oppose this project, which will harm people and nature of Goa,” he added, while demanded that the government scraps the project.
Olencio Simoes, of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott said, “We had asked the railway officials about the objective of the project, the impact study of this project on the surrounding and the survey plans. He was unable to answer a single question.”
Simoes further questioned whether Goa in Portuguese era under colonial rule, wherein people and the local MLA is strongly opposing the doubling of railway track project and yet the notices for land acquisition etc is being issued, which not right and that too when there is a COVID pandemic.
“We have clearly told the authorities along with railway officials that we don’t want doubling of railway track and if the project is forced on us, then we will take necessary steps what will be needed," Simoes added.
Meanwhile the Cortalim MLA said this is not an issue for different political parties to take mileage.
“Those who are talking big have not given a single statement on this issue. We have been there since inception of this issue because we are concerned about the people of Goa,” she added.
She also said that the Goa is known as the Pearl of the Orient and therefore we cannot allow Goa to be destroyed by bringing such projects, which will harm people in many ways.
