Team Herald
MARGAO: A fresh confrontation unfolded at Primeiro Vaddo, Velsao, on Friday, as Sarpanch Diana Gouveia, along with local residents, clashed with RVNL contractors and railway officials over unauthorised construction work. The tense standoff, which involved heated exchanges, highlighted the ongoing battle of villagers to protect their ancestral land and traditional Right of Way – areas obstructed by mud dumping and construction activities.
The dispute erupted when railway contractors, backed by police personnel, resumed work in the area despite a stop-work order issued by the Velsao-Pale-Issorcim Panchayat. The panchayat had previously advised that any land ownership disputes should be resolved in court, as the matter is currently under review by the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) and the District Court in Margao. However, railway officials returned to the site without providing any ownership documents, further infuriating the locals.
An angry Sarpanch Diana Gouveia confronted the contractors and railway officials, questioning their authority to continue work without proper documentation or prior notification to the panchayat. "How can you come here again and again without documents to prove your ownership? The panchayat has not lifted the stop-work order, and the matter is still in court. This is a blatant disregard for the law and the rights of the villagers," she said, her frustration evident.
She also raised concerns over the railways' treatment of the locals and the panchayat. “Why are proper procedures not being followed? Why are you acting as if the law does not apply to you? This is not just about land; it’s about our homes, our heritage and our future,” she added, capturing the sentiment of the gathered crowd.
The panchayat had not lifted the stop-work order, despite requests from South Western Railway officials, who had met with locals earlier and promised to halt construction. The railway officials had agreed to first present revised plans addressing the traditional access issue and restoring the drainage system. However, they proceeded with the work without fulfilling their commitments, further aggravating tensions.
Railway officials defended their actions, asserting that they had sought clarification on land boundaries from the land and survey department, with hearings still ongoing. They claimed that the ongoing construction was vital for the region’s double-tracking project, which they argued would bring long-term benefits. However, their explanation failed to pacify the villagers, who accused the railways of using police presence to intimidate the local population.
The situation took a more serious turn when South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes arrived at the scene around noon. Fernandes engaged with RVNL contractors, local Police Inspector Melson Colaco, and panchayat officials to broker a resolution. He was later joined by the Talathi, Mamlatdar, and Vasco Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gurudas Kadam as discussions continued throughout the day. PI Kapil Naik from Vasco police station also arrived with a substantial police presence, escalating the already tense atmosphere.
During the discussions, Fernandes, Gouveia, Goencho Ekvott founder Orville Dourado Rodrigues and local Congress leader Olencio Simoes emphasised that the railways had failed to provide evidence of land ownership, while residents possessed Portuguese-era title documents proving their ownership of the land. "How can you proceed with construction in a disputed area without proper documentation? This is a clear violation of the villagers’ rights," Fernandes argued.
Locals contended that the railway's actions were illegal, blocking their traditional access and leaving them landlocked. Several homes, some of which are heritage properties, have had their compound walls damaged, and the destruction of drainage systems has raised fears of waterlogging during the monsoon. "We are trapped in our own homes. This is not development; this is destruction," one resident stated, reflecting the collective frustration of the community.
Despite the efforts of MP Fernandes and local leaders to resolve the situation, the railways resumed their mud dumping activities at around 4 pm, deepening the villagers' anger. "They are acting as if they are above the law. This is our land, and they have no right to destroy it," another resident said, as heavy machinery continued to disrupt the area.