Indian Railways has attached the wheel loader owned by Amit Patkar, which was used to remove gravel allegedly dumped by the Railways on private property at Velsao. Patkar alleged the machinery was attached instead of addressing the alleged trespass and obstruction of access.
The incident is part of a long-standing dispute over the South Western Railway’s double-tracking project in Velsao, where villagers allege that construction materials and earthwork have blocked traditional motorable access to more than 20 heritage homes. Residents assert they hold Portuguese-era title documents and matriz records, while the Railways claims the land has been in its legal possession for over a century—a claim locals dispute, noting Goa was under Portuguese rule until 1961.
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Legal and Administrative Standoff
The ownership question remains pending before the Inspector of Survey and Land Records (ISLR) and the District Court in Margao, with multiple hearings adjourned over the past three years. Villagers and NGOs such as Goencho Ekvott have filed complaints with the South Goa Collector demanding an immediate stop to work and restoration of the land, alleging that RVNL/SWR is proceeding without acquiring the land or establishing clear ownership.
