MARGAO: Residents of Utorda on Sunday gathered in large numbers near the railway track to protest the closure of a road by the railway authorities, which they claimed has inconvenienced them greatly.

The locals said the road, which now has been closed, was the key access built by the government 40 years ago.

The residents said that they used this road to get to the other side of the tracks, where the church, school and other facilities are located.

They further said that it is not just their houses that are located nearby, but people from other wards and commuters also use this road.

The locals pointed out that they had filed complaints with the South Western Railway offices in Vasco and Hubballi, the local panchayat and MLA.

However, the residents complained that they are upset that there has not been any change on the ground and claimed that the railway expansion is continuing at a rapid pace.

They further complained that the height of the area adjacent to the railway track has been increased, causing problems to pedestrians, especially senior citizens, who used to walk to the other side.

The locals have vowed to stop the railway expansion work if their demands are not met and added that they had asked the government and panchayat to acquire land to facilitate the building of a new road for them, in the same direction as the present road, so that they are not denied access.

The locals also hit back at the railway officials for rudely asking them to take another route. The locals said the other route is very far and has caused them great hardship.

The locals emphasised that they very much need this road and disputed the contents of a letter with the railway authorities claiming that the road is not required.