MARGAO: The residents of Mollo are still grappling with feelings of insecurity a month after they filed objections against a notice served by the Mormugao Deputy Collector, which
directed them to surrender their land for the special railway double tracking project. The anxiety stems from the wording used in the notice, sent a month ago, which granted them a total of sixty days to hand over their land to railway authorities. With one month already elapsed, the deadline looms next month.
Residents of Mollo have pledged to stand united in their efforts to protect their land, hoping that their legal representatives can either halt the land acquisition or delay it until the courts can offer some relief. Additionally, there is optimism that High Court directives regarding the notification of Mhadei sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve may also contribute to halting the double tracking project.
Orville Dourado Rodrigues, the founder of Goencho Ekvott, expressed the concerns of the residents, stating, “The beleaguered residents of the hamlet of Mollo, Pale-Velsao, today are feeling let down by their local legislator Antonio Vaz.
Despite being made aware by the local residents that their very existence in their ward is under threat from the South Western Railways for their double tracking project, he has not reacted. It’s been over a month since they received a notice from the Mormugao Mamlatdar to hand over their land.”
Rodrigues continued, “The locals lament that sadly, till date, their MLA has not made any attempts to intercede on their behalf through the government of Goa. Despite the odds stacked against them, they have faith in NGOs like Goencho Ekvott, which have shouldered the responsibility of seeking justice for them through legal recourse. Until a favourable verdict from the courts, the ‘Sword of Damocles’ hangs upon them.”
