Team Herald
PANJIM: The work being carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) for the laying of the double track in Guirdolim has had far reaching consequences that have affected not just the residents of the village but also the biodiversity of the area.
Presently, some locals are unable to access their own properties, farmers are unable to cultivate, bunds are cut and the rivers have been ruined too.
Chairperson of Guirdolim Panchayat’s Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) Agostine Antao recalls how one side of the railway track had been destroyed earlier. This is on the northern side in Survey Number 261 of Guirdolim where the sluice gate connecting to the rivulet of Zuari was broken and it is yet to be restored.
Before that, on the southern side, the RVNL had tried to block the outlet of Naukhazan Lake that flows out to Kushavati River. At that time, Antao said the then South Goa Collector had issued directions saying that the water from the lock cannot be blocked with mud and the Railway authorities had given an assurance then that no more mud filling will be done.
However, to the horror of locals, the RNVL recently used 70 trucks to fill the low-lying areas and Naukhazan Lake in Survey Number 271 and 272 of Guirdolim village.
Since then, the villagers have been on their feet non-stop, trying to protect the area from further damage and get the authorities to also repair the damage done in the past.
In the last week, the Maina-Curtorim Police has held an inspection, the Water Resources Department (WRD) Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues was apprised and WRD also carried out an inspection. The Guirdolim Panchayat Secretary was gheraoed as well for inadequate action, following which the Guirdolim BMC members conducted another inspection.
Their efforts bore fruit when the WRD issued an immediate stop work order to the RVNL, which was in addition to earlier instructions from the police to the RVNL to stop work temporarily.
The WRD Executive Engineer wrote to the RVNL General Manager where he said, “It is noticed that you (RVNL) have started filling the earth in the Nacasona tank abruptly without consideration to the effect on the surrounding area. As per the Railways Act 1989, under section 12, you have to issue a notice in advance to the concerned department prior to shifting or alterations to the drains.”
Antao added that as per the same section of the Railways Act, the RVNL should have informed the local body, which is the Guirodlim BMC about its plans as well.
The WRD has also asked the RVNL to submit the details of proposed construction in order to consider the same from the point of flooding that may occur in the surrounding areas due to the alteration of drains and water body.
Based on this, residents of Guirdolim, Chandor and Cavorim village have forwarded a copy of WRD’s stop work order to the offices of the Collector, Police and RNVL and asked that it is ensured that that no trucks are allowed to bring mud to the site of the double tracking in Guirdolim and Chandor villages.
Furthermore, the Guirdolim BMC has written to the Member Secretary of the State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) with the report of its inspection that has sketches and survey plans and is waiting for GSBB’s response. The Guirdolim BMC is also mulling options to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and is preparing the ground work in that regard.
