Team Herald
MARGAO: Upset over the proposed railway station, the villagers of São José de Areal have raised serious concerns, questioning the government’s priorities, especially considering the severe lack of basic facilities in the area.
The villagers have presented a series of questions to both the government and the local panchayat, highlighting various issues that need urgent attention.
Villagers suggested alternative development projects, such as sports academy, shopping complex or health centre that would cater to the needs of the community.
Peter Viegas, a resident, emphasized that São José de Areal lacks essential services such as a police station, a fire station, and a health centre to cater to the needs of the villagers, who are suffering from air and water pollution.
He also expressed frustration over the lack of response regarding the village's basic infrastructure needs, asking, “Why is there a need for a railway station when the government has not addressed these basic necessities?”
The village, which hosts around 600 industrial units and scrap yards, is grappling with the adverse effects of pollution.
"The ongoing devastation of the area’s verdant hills due to unregulated metal quarrying and stone crushing activities, as well as the environmental damage caused by untreated effluents discharged into local water bodies has destroyed the village biodiversity," said Viegas and alleged that there have been repeated attempts to set up large housing projects in the area.
Viegas also pointed out the ongoing devastation of the area’s verdant hills due to unregulated metal quarrying and stone crushing activities, as well as the environmental damage caused by untreated effluents discharged into local water bodies. Additionally, there have been repeated attempts to set up large housing projects in the area.
In light of these concerns, the villagers have strongly opposed the proposed railway station. Activist Freddy Travasso questioned the necessity of building another railway station at Sao Jose de Areal when the Konkan Railway already has a major terminus at Margao, just 2 to 2.5 kilometres away from the village.
He argued, “There is no reason for building a new station at Areal, except for the transportation of coal and goods. The government must provide us with a valid reason why the Konkan Railway needs another station so close to Margao.”
Travasso and the villagers are convinced that the proposed railway station is primarily meant to facilitate coal and goods transportation, something they vehemently oppose. “We will never allow the station to handle coal in our backyard,” he added.