Double track work begins at Pale amid locals’ outcry

Congress leaders Olencio Simoes, Orville Dourado, Velsao Sarpanch Diana Gouveia along with locals at Pale village on Tuesday.

Photo Credits: Vikram Nayak

VASCO
Protests erupt at Pale village in Velsao as the Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) on Tuesday began double tracking work without prior notice to residents or local authorities.

Residents, backed by activists, expressed strong objections and called for the project’s cancellation, citing environmental and health concerns as well as legal irregularities.

Orville Dourado, founder member of the NGO Goencho Ekvott, stated that residents were verbally notified only the previous night about RVNL’s plan to commence work. “We’ve opposed this project since 2018 through protests and legal action,” Dourado said. “RVNL has moved into residential areas near survey number 18/1. The government has not addressed the objections filed by locals nor has the Railways conducted proper surveys and yet the works have begun without any demarcation.  These double tracks are primarily for coal transport, putting locals at risk of pollution and structural damage to their homes.” He pointed out that RVNL had neither demarcated the area nor held consultations with locals or officials to inform them about land acquisition.

Congress leader Olencio Simoes called for the scrapping of the double tracking project, stating that the people’s opposition to the project dates back to 2016. “Proper procedures are not being followed in land acquisition,” Simoes stated. “There is widespread deforestation, and the RVNL continues its work despite notices from the Forest Department, Water Resources Department, and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ). The government’s lack of response may lead to significant unrest among locals.”

Simoes added that the local panchayat has also opposed the project, citing risks to residents’ health due to coal pollution and the potential for structural damage from vibrations caused by the trains. He said that they were informed that the double tracking project has been dropped in Kulem area and neighbouring Karnataka government has already halted double tracking.” 

Simoes further mentioned that the affected residents have filed a petition in the High Court, represented by Aldona MLA and lawyer Adv Carlos Ferreira Alvares.

 “The matter is sub-judice and RVNL cannot start works like this. The legal procedures followed by RVNL are highly questionable. Our lawyer has assured us that RVNL’s actions are illegal, and we plan to document all activities for legal evidence, so that the contractor and their employees are taken to task,” Simoes added.