Team Herald
MARGAO: The Railway contractors tried to resume work on disputed land at Velsao on Thursday, prompting the local panchayat to issue a stop work order to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). Residents took to the streets to block the dumping of construction material for the controversial double-tracking project.
The situation took a dramatic turn when police had to intervene to maintain law and order, with one of their vehicles getting stuck after RVNL had dumped mud on either side. "Will they provide us helicopters to get in and out of our houses?" questioned frustrated locals who have been effectively landlocked by the construction
activity.
In response to the escalating situation, the Velsao Sarpanch Maria Diana Gouveia, recently issued a formal stop work order to the contractors. The order referenced a complaint from several residents including Sandra Rodrigues, Max Rodrigues, and others, who alleged that Surya Constructions Pvt. Ltd., engaged by RVNL and South Western Railway (SWR), had blocked private property, public roads, and ancient waterways by illegally dumping soil.
"The way we are treating Goa, very soon the locals of the land will also want to run away," said former Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, highlighting the growing frustration among residents. Beyond access issues, serious concerns have been raised about the condition of heritage homes near the tracks, with residents reporting dangerous vibrations, wall cracks, and persistent sound and air pollution even through the nights.
The panchayat's stop work order emphasised that neither RVNL nor its contractors had sought formal permission from the village panchayat for construction works at Primeirovaddo, Velsao. It also noted that residents have submitted their property title documents to the Court of the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR), Margao, making the matter sub-judice.
The panchayat has directed immediate cessation of all "illegal activities" and demanded restoration of the affected land to its original condition. The authorities have given the contractors four days to produce documents substantiating their case, failing which further legal action will
be initiated.