MARGAO: GOACAN has raised concerns over the public notice and warning issued by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to road users regarding the over-head traction line of Majorda-Vasco-MPA section of the South Western Railway (SWR) going live.

The NGO has written to the Mormugao Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bhagwant Anay Karmali, wherein they pointed out that the RVNL’s public notification and warning states that along the Majorda, Vasco-da Gama, Mormugao Port section of the SWR, the 25,000 volt Hz AC over-head traction wires will be energised on September 30, and shall be treated as ‘live’.

GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins said that they are of the opinion that the content of the public notification involves the safety of the persons using the railway lines, road users as well as tourist vehicle owners amongst others so as to avoid accidents that could cause loss of life.

GOACAN, which has sent copies of this letter to other authorities including the Chief Secretary demanded wide publicity to reach larger population. He has urged the Mormugao SDM to ensure that copies of the ‘public notice’ and the ‘warning to road users’ are sent to the concerned authorities and the appropriate signage is installed as required.

He said, “These details and safety guidelines need to be disseminated to the village panchayats in Mormugao taluka, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC), educational institutions, departments like PWD, Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES), Water Resources Department (WRD), electricity, transport and the traffic police among others.”

It may be recalled that road users and activists have expressed similar concerns in the past and said adequate care and precaution has to be taken in the interest of public safety and to avoid any incidents.

Given that there are a lot of residential areas that are close to the tracks and villagers cross the tracks to get to the other side of villages, this has been a big concern for those who live near the tracks.