Team Herald
MARGAO: It was not a good start for the affected locals who had raised objections against land acquisition in Velsao for the railway double-tracking project. Two of the five objections were heard at the office of the Mormugao Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and both were dismissed on Tuesday.
Goencho Ekvott (GE) the organisation that has been fighting against the double tracking project and land acquisition proceedings criticised the development given the sustained protests from the locals and other citizens against the project.
GE’s lawyer advocate Seoula Vas stated that the personal hearing for land acquisition for South Western Railway’s (SWR) double tracking was concluded for some of affected residents of Velsao and that the decision given by the Deputy Collector was against the affected land owners who had ancestral house and land holdings.
She added that there are certain technical aspects which were not taken into consideration by the surveyors before serving notices for the acquisition.
Olencio Simoes, GE leader further alleged that the entire administration in the State of Goa is being suppressed by the Central government agencies to facilitate the transportation of coal through our pristine villages to benefit their crony capitalists across the State’s border without any benefit for the State or its people.
GE reiterated that they will further intensify the public awareness campaign against the three linear projects till the government listens to the masses.
