Team Herald
MARGAO: In the wake of sustained protests by Sarzora villagers against the proposed railway station in their village, the local panchayat has now formally backed the agitation. In a special meeting convened to address the issue, the Sarzora panchayat body passed a resolution to write to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, conveying the village’s strong opposition to the project. Sources indicated that the letter would likely be dispatched this week and that the issue is expected to be raised at the next gram sabha meeting.
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It may be recalled that earlier this week, there was a large-scale protest by Sarzora villagers, where residents took to the streets questioning the government’s decision to set up a railway station in their village. They criticized the authorities for ignoring their long-standing demand for a road overbridge at the Sarzora railway crossing, a critical need for daily commuters, including schoolchildren. Panchayat members, led by Sarpanch Leona Fernandes and member Sabita Mascarenhas, had submitted a memorandum to Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who attended the protest, urging him to intervene and push for the scrapping of the railway station plans.
The memorandum emphasized that Sarzora is a tranquil village, rich in biodiversity, and that residents have consistently resisted projects that threaten its peaceful environment. The villagers cited past efforts to block high-rise developments, warning that the railway station would bring an influx of migrants, lead to unregulated commercial activity, and potentially increase crime in the area. They pointed out that with Margao station just eight kilometers away and Balli station even closer, the necessity of another station in Sarzora was highly questionable.
Highlighting the ecological sensitivity of the region, the memorandum described Sarzora as an agricultural hub with vast rice fields, coconut plantations, and a biodiverse habitat that includes leopards and medicinal plants. Villagers fear that the station’s construction would not only destroy the area’s green cover but also disrupt the delicate ecosystem sustained by the Sarzora lake, which irrigates a large portion of farmland.
While reaffirming that they are not against development, the villagers stressed that they would oppose any unplanned projects that pose a threat to their way of life. The Velim MLA, Silva, after receiving the memorandum, assured the villagers of his support and pledged to take up the issue with the government. With the panchayat now formally aligning with the public opposition, the villagers remain firm in their stand, determined to resist any attempts to push the
project forward.
