PANJIM: Stepping up the ante against the South Western Railway over its double tracking plans, locals of Chandor-Guirdolim and member of Goencho Ekvott (GE) took up their fight to protect the Nacazana Lake at Guirdolim, water bodies and sluice gates, with various authorities.
The locals vowed not to allow any future work and to also protect their ancient sluice gate connecting the Khushawati River, which is to be demolished to make way for the railway tracks.
While the locals also objected to the misuse of Guirdolim Panchayat’s NOC for land-filling on the other side of the track, the issue of the destruction of another sluice gate connecting the tributary of the Zuari River that took place nine months ago was also raised.
Locals pointed out that the same sluice gate is yet to be reconstructed despite the RVNL officials stating that they had deposited Rs 2.98 crore with the Water Resources Department (WRD) and alleged that the RNVL was misleading the police on the funds they had released and that scope of work.
The villagers and GE then met WRD Minister Filpe Neri Rodrigues over these issues.
The Minister gave them a patient hearing and assured that he would take action to protect the wetland by employing the relevant Irrigation Act.
The locals and GE also demanded that all the industrial slag and debris that has been illegally dumped in the water body should be removed within seven days failing which they would approach the court.
After that, upon the Minister’s instructions, the Nacazana Lake was then inspected by the WRD Chief Engineer and staff. Locals pointed out gross violations of land-filling with industrial slag, construction debris and loose mud.
WRD staff said they will report to the Minister on the matter within 24 hours.
Thereafter, the villagers led by Guirdolim Biodiversity Committee Chairman Agostinho Antao marched to the Guirdolim Village Panchayat where Antao along with the Church Fabrica representative questioned the Panchayat Secretary on their role in the recent developments.
“How was the NOC issued by the panchayat without consulting all of the panchayat members? Why has no inspection been conducted by the village biodiversity board despite verbal and written requests,” asked the locals led by Antao.
Despite Antao’s appeals for an immediate inspection of the area, the Secretary was initially adamant and refused to give a date and time for holding such an inspection citing elections.
However, in view of growing and intense public pressure, the Secretary finally buckled down and agreed for a site inspection on Thursday at 12.30 pm.
