VELSAO: The divine experience of the first night of their marriage turned into a nightmare for a couple in Velsao. Thanks to the overloaded cargo trains passing from their village that render noise, dust and smells day and night.
Freida, a newly married bride, had dust, coal lumps and noisy day one at her husband’s place. The honking of the trains passing from Velsao village has not even spared the senior citizens. Young and old, weak and the ailing have faced troubles due to the goods trains that pass from Velsao railway track.
The senior citizens living in the vicinity of Velsao, Pale and Issorcim villages around the railway track are the most affected. While describing his experience Anthony D’silva said, “The smells are unbearable, garbage is being strewn from the train, coal is spilling onto our front and backyards and is someone listening?” he said.
Residents of Velsao complained that apart from losing land they have lost their peaceful living. “Many people assembled and requested the authorities not to cause trouble to people around. However, they are least bothered,” D’ SIlva said.
“Industrial horns in the night in peaceful residential villages is the order of the day in Pale,” he said.
The residents said that even after stopping the train and requesting the operators of the problems, the problem of noise from trains still persists.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues of Goencho Ekvott informed that eight to ten wagons overloaded with coal cargo pass through this village destroying the entire peace and tranquillity of the village. “Despite approaching the High Courts, NGT and appellate of the highest order the cacophony seems to be unending. Are we not citizens of India? Why are we subjected to a condition that will lead to our premature death?” Dourado asked.
“With one track, the state is so bad. Imagine what will be the situation after they add one more track,” he said.
Olencio Simoes, General Secretary of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott said, “Railway system has been modernised all over India. Why are the old ways being practiced in Velsao? This honking and pollution due to the trains has cost the residents their health,” he asserted.
The honking and discharge of dust and coal continue in the village with no respite. The villagers have now concluded that probably the Railways wants to displace the villagers so that they can continue with their ways.
