Team Herald
MARGAO: In a dramatic turn of events, South Goa District Collector withdrew its previous stop work order against the alleged illegal land filling at Velsao, prompting the Railways to resume the construction work in the village with police protection, despite ongoing legal disputes and opposition from
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the locals.
While withdrawing its order, the Collector cited that the respondent was initially unknown, even though the withdrawal order simultaneously referenced Rail Vikas Nigam Limited’s (RVNL) response to the notice.
The disputed work site at Primeiro Vaddo, Velsao, adjoining the heritage homes of several residents, has become a flashpoint of tension as railway work has blocked the traditional right of way that villagers have used for over 200 years.
RVNL, in its response to the Collector, maintained that the South Western Railway’s (SWR) Hospet-Vasco da Gama double tracking project was being undertaken in compliance with the Railways Act, 1989, and that no illegal activities were being carried out in the specified areas.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founder of Goencho Ekvott, questioned the basis of withdrawing the stop work order, noting that it was originally issued based on the Flying Squad’s report.
He asked: “Didn’t the report not mention as to who was responsible for the dumping of mud and construction material in land, which the Railways has no land title?”
The resumption of work has particularly affected several families including the Coelhos, who arrived on vacation only to find their heritage home’s access completely blocked by mud dumping.
The other locals gathered at the site said: “The Coelhos were shocked when they arrived to reside at their home where the mud has been dumped right in front of their heritage home!”
The situation on the ground remains tense, with work proceeding under Goa Police protection, with the Railway Protection Force remaining absent.
Incidentally, when locals confronted RVNL officials about land ownership, specifically asking if they had the relevant title documents to the land in question, the officials were unable to provide this information.
It may be noted however that RVNL’s response to the Collector, which led to the withdrawal of the stop work order, included several supporting documents: their contract agreement with Surya Construction Private Limited, letters of award and acceptance, a letter from the Deputy Director of Mines, and a copy of a High Court order from October 2022. They cited Section 11 of the Railways Act, claiming it grants them power to execute railway-related works without requiring approvals under State or local laws.
However, locals have challenged this interpretation, pointing to two upcoming legal hearings on February 17, 2025. The first is scheduled in the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) court in Margao, where SWR faces the Velsao Panchayat and 45 others. The second is a civil suit at the District Court, Margao, filed by Francisco Gouveia and five others against SWR, RVNL, and Surya Construction.
Despite the locals showing documentation to the police about the sub-judice nature of the matter, construction activities continued unabated. “Goa Police personnel are just acting as bystanders, instead of protecting the villagers’ rights,” said a frustrated resident.
Another resident asked “Is the Railways thinking that it is a law unto them, to bulldoze through land which is legally owned by the villagers and has been used by them for over 200 years?”
As both court hearings approach, the Primeiro Vaddo residents remain in limbo, watching helplessly as construction continues on land whose ownership is still under legal dispute. “Helpless, everyone moved away leaving it all to RVNL to do as they please. Sad reality,” lamented an affected resident, adding that the locals are feeling cornered with no tangible solutions in sight.
David versus Goliath: Velsao VP
firm on Railways stop work order
MARGAO: The Velsao-Pale-Issorcim Village Panchayat has firmly rejected Railways’ request to withdraw the stop work order on the ongoing railway construction, asserting its authority to issue such notices and highlighting violations of human rights due to blocked access to villagers’ homes.
In a detailed response to RVNL, Sarpanch Maria Diana Gouveia maintained that the stop work notice remains in force, outlining several critical grounds for the decision. The panchayat’s primary concern centres on the railway works blocking motorable access to villagers’ houses, effectively leaving them landlocked – a situation the panchayat has deemed as violation of human rights.
The panchayat has also challenged the Railways’ invocation of Section 11 of The Railways Act, 1989, arguing that this provision only applies to lands where Railways has acquired clear title.
They pointed out that the ownership of the land in question is currently under adjudication in the court of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR), Record of Rights-Margao, making any construction potentially damaging and premature.
Furthermore, the panchayat accused RVNL of violating various provisions of the Code for the Engineering Department issued by the Railway Board. They specifically cited a Railway Board directive from January 30, 2020, which mandates Railways and related bodies to consult local urban bodies and statutory authorities while approving plans, ensuring development on railway land harmonises with surrounding areas.
The panchayat’s response also referred to the long-standing conflict, with the body noting that it has been raising grievances since January 2021, all of which have reportedly gone unaddressed. “In the face of these harsh realities, we are unable to rescind the stop work notice as requested,” stated Gouveia in the letter.
The panchayat has ensured wide circulation of its response, copying it to various officials including the South Goa District Collector, Additional Director of Panchayats-II, relevant high-ranking national Railway officials, and the local Verna PI.
The dispute began when the panchayat issued a stop work order on January 29, 2025, following complaints from residents about blocked roads, private properties, and waterways due to soil dumping from the railway construction work. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) had responded by asking the panchayat to withdraw the order, claiming that local bodies lack jurisdiction over railway projects and citing Section 11 of the Railways Act, 1989, which exempts them from requiring local body permissions.
