19 Mar 2023  |   06:26am IST

Now, RVNL dumps mud into River Sal tributary, Velsao locals livid

The move is likely to cause flooding in the village

Team Herald

MARGAO: Locals from Velsao are up in arms over the recommencement of the rail double-tracking work in the village and the dumping of mud in the main tributary of the river Sal, thereby contaminating and blocking the natural flow of water.

“Despite very stiff opposition from the villagers in Velsao and Pale villages, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has commenced dumping of mud straight into the main tributary of the river Sal at Mollo, Pale. This is outright sacrilegious and will be countered tooth and nail with all legal resources at our disposal. This will also most likely cause flooding prior to the onset of the monsoon” said Goencho Ekvott founder Orville Dourado Rodrigues.

“It is pertinent to note that villagers cutting across political affiliations have voiced their opinion publicly against double tracking and coal transportation through Goa, be it through rail, road or rivers,” Rodrigues added.

“But sadly, our government is found lacking in its approach to tackle double tracking and its associated coal menace headlong citing that it is a central government project,” said Rodrigues, who is also a resident of Velsao.

Rodrigues also cited examples of how government projects have been withdrawn in the past, due to public pressure.