Members of Go encho Ekvott (GE), along with affected landowners from Velsao and Cansaulim, have lodged a formal com plaint with senior gov ernment officials alleging works activities linked to ongoing railway double tracking works in the area. The complaint, ad dressed to the South Goa District Collector, the Mem ber of Parliament for South Goa, the Sub-Divisional Officer of Mormugao, Cor talim MLA, and Chief Min ister, raises concerns over works being carried out by contractors of South West ern Railway (SWR) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). According to the com plaint, the Government of Goa had earlier issued a notification in May 2023 di recting a survey and prepa ration of Records of Rights for lands occupied by the railways under provisions of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. Subsequently, officials from the Directo rate of Settlement and Land Records were tasked with conducting surveys across multiple talukas, including Salcete and Mormugao.
During the survey pro cess, several landowners and village panchayats re portedly filed objections, claiming that ownership and possession of the land remain with them. These claims were supported by documentation such as sale deeds, inventory pro ceedings, land registration records, matriz certificates and cadastral plans. The complainants stated that the matter is currently under consideration before the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) author ities and remains sub judice. Despite this, they alleged that railway authorities and contractors have proceeded with double tracking work without obtaining necessary permissions.
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They claimed that the on going work has obstructed access to properties and infringed upon the funda mental rights of villagers, including the right to life under Article 21 of the Con stitution. Expressing concern over what they described as ad ministrative inaction, the group warned that such developments could erode public trust in governance and the rule of law. In their submission, the complainants have de manded immediate stop page of the works, restora tion of affected land, and a halt to all activities until the legal process is concluded. They have also called for strict action against those responsible for undertak ing the alleged unauthor ised work. The representation was signed by Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founder mem ber of Goencho Ekvott.
