A tense meeting between Velsao residents and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) officials took place at the Velsao- Pale - Isorsim panchayat office on Monday, following mounting complaints over blocked access routes caused by railway expansion work.
This marks the first time RVNL has attended a village panchayat meeting to discuss the issue with villagers since they began opposing the double-tracking project.
After the villagers firmly voiced their concerns, the RVNL officials reconsidered their stance and assured the Panchayat that they would submit a revised plan for an alternative road within the next fifteen days.
In the meantime, the Panchayat has directed RVNL to promptly remove the mud fill dumped in front of residents' houses and restore their right of way.
At the meeting with RVNL, three different groups of citizens presented their concerns. The first group consisted of residents from Primeirovaddo, Velsao, and Pale, living to the right of level crossing 26, facing the sea. The second group comprised residents of Primeirovaddo who reside to the left of level crossing 26. The third group included residents from Issorcim.
The panchayat reiterated its stance, emphasizing that its order remained valid and instructing RVNL to remove the mud obstructing traditional access paths to homes situated opposite the railway track.
To accommodate all affected residents, the meeting was held in multiple sessions, allowing villagers from different areas to present their grievances.
"In the meantime, we have requested RVNL to halt all work and submit proper land ownership documents if they have them. Additionally, we have urged them to remove the piles of soil that have been dumped in front of people’s houses, as it is causing serious obstruction. If a fire were to break out, even the fire brigade would not be able to reach the affected houses. Ideally, South Western Railway should have first addressed the issue of an alternative road before starting this project, but unfortunately, they failed to do so " Said Diana.
The primary demand raised by residents was the immediate removal of the mud heaps that had rendered their homes inaccessible. Additionally, they insisted on the construction of a proper drainage system after the previous one was destroyed during the double-tracking project. The absence of drainage has led to severe flooding during the past two monsoons, exacerbating their hardships.
RVNL proposed the construction of a new road to restore access, but discussions remain ongoing regarding land acquisition for this project.
But the main problem for the people is that the railway tracks are much higher than the level of their houses.
We have now placed all our demands before them, and we expect them to complete these necessary tasks before the monsoon season. We also presented them with documents dating back to 2020, clearly proving that the land extending up to the railway line belongs to the residents." , Said Max
However, frustration among villagers was evident, with many alleging that their repeated pleas had been ignored.
They also accused RVNL of failing to provide legal documentation proving land ownership, while local homeowners asserted their rights with valid legal documents.
Adding to the complexity of the dispute, it was revealed that the matter is currently pending before the Land and Survey Court in Margao.
The villagers are no longer willing to listen to any explanations from the railway authorities. Through our collective unity today, we are sending a strong and clear message to South Western Railway: Vacate our land immediately!
Orville Rodrigues - GE founder
"Before anything else, remove the soil that has been dumped here, blocking our right of way. Let ISLR (Indian Survey of Land Records) determine the rightful ownership of the land instead of the railway arbitrarily taking control." Said Rodrigues
Residents demanded that the minutes of the meeting be formally recorded and submitted to the District Collector to ensure that their grievances and RVNL’s commitments were officially documented.
Despite assurances from RVNL officials that their concerns would be addressed, villagers remain skeptical and have warned of intensified protests if immediate action is not taken.