Margao: Goencho Ekvott (GE) has in a strongly worded letter to the South Goa District Collector has said that the permissions given to Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) for the closing of the road for laying the second track at three level crossings in Salcete is illegal and has requested revocation of the permissions.
GE has warned of a law and order situation if the permissions are not revoked.
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Expressing grave concern, GE said it has brought to the attention of the District Collector South Goa that the permission accorded by him for the temporary closing of level crossing roads at Village at Chandor, Nessai, and Davorlim for cutting of roads to lay the double railway tracks are illegal and in violation of the 73rd amendment of the constitution, as the RVNL has not taken consent from the local panchayat at Chandor-Cavorim, Sao Jose de Areal, Davorlim-Dicarpale nor any other Panchayats along the proposed track right from Kalem to Vasco-da-Gama.
GE has urged the Collector to pay heed to their voices so that he is aware that these decisions are not in the interest of the people of Goa.
“We seek your stern intervention and request you to immediately revoke the permission granted to the RNVL for the closing of level crossing roads at Village at Chandor, Nessai, and Davorlim for cutting of roads to lay the double railway tracks, failing which there could be a law order situation in the State,” warned GE.
The organisation further pointed out that the panchayat is a constitutional body and together with the Central government and the State government, is part of the ‘State’ as defined under the Article 12 of the constitution of India. “And hence, any land acquisition that has to be undertaken/ processed should be first sought from the affected panchayat, which is independent of the state government, and therefore it mandates its consent for approval of the project,” GE added.
“24 village panchayats along the proposed double tracks have passed resolutions against the doubling tracking from Vasco to Kalem by South Western Railway (SWR) in their respective jurisdiction. Hence, amidst the all-round opposition to the proposed double tracking, it was shocking to note that a responsible authority like you totally pushed aside the constitutional bodies like the panchayat and went ahead in according permission to close down of level crossing roads at Chandor, Nessai and Davorlim,” said GE.
They added that it is also shocking that the permission given to close down of level crossing roads at Chandor, Nessai, and Davorlim for 5 hours especially during midnight can pose severe risk to Covid-19 patients, especially when all are very well aware that Goa has highest COVID-19 patients and deaths per million in India till date.
“We would like to reiterate that the people in this region do not approve of these projects, which are meant to benefit a few crony capitalists and also as there is no accrued benefit of any kind to the State, nor its people. These projects will be a threat to the fundamental right as many people are likely to lose their houses, health and livelihood, which is in violation of Articles 14, 21 of the Constitution of India and The Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994” said GE.
GE further added that by virtue of doubling the tracks, the number of rails will double causing more dust and misery.
“Shouldn’t we, as citizens have a right to voice our dissent against these projects that affect our very health and land? This destruction cannot be disguised and termed as development and is against the voices of our people. We wish to state that these projects have been non-participatory and have been enforced on us citizens in a top-down manner,” GE added.
