Team Herald
MARGAO: The railway construction continues unabated on the disputed lands of the locals at Velsao and to add to their woes, the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) Margao adjourned the hearing to February 28.
The adjournment came as a shock to villagers gathered at the South District Collectorate, as many had availed leave from work to attend the hearing.
They termed the postponement as pattern of harassment aimed at wearing down local resistance
The delay has particularly impacted residents like Dax Rodrigues, whose family is now landlocked by the ongoing construction.
Rodrigues noted that his family has submitted documents to the ISLR showing their property extends to the existing railway track, including inscription/description and Matriz records. These records also detail how his ancestors had ensured villagers would have a Right of Way, a practice followed by landowners on both sides of the railway track.
The postponement has raised serious questions amongst the villagers of Velsao about the functioning of government departments.
Villagers expressed concern over the informal nature of the adjournment notice, which was handwritten and lacked both an official stamp and signature.
One resident questioned the possibility of ex-parte orders being issued, citing the lack of transparency in the Survey Department's dealings.
“We expected at least the ISLR, being a Government of Goa department, to act responsibly and inform us beforehand to avoid such waste of time and resources,” said one of the affected residents.
Another villager, who requested anonymity due to workplace concerns, suggested that the casual approach to the postponement indicated a pattern of harassment aimed at wearing down local resistance.
The delay is particularly concerning for residents as South Western Railway (SWR) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) continue their construction work under Goa Police protection, despite the ongoing legal dispute over land ownership. “Is there any worthwhile governance in Goa?” questioned Rodrigues, highlighting the stark contrast between the rapid pace of construction and the slow movement of administrative justice.