Team Goemkarponn
VELSAO: Tensions escalated in Velsao after the Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) restarted construction activities at a disputed site.
Residents of Mollo, Pale villages have accused the RVNL of defying an order from the South Goa collector to pause work.
The residents stated that the order had been issued after they had raised alarm over RVNL’s actions on November 5, fearing encroachment on their inherited lands.
Responding to their concerns, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes had gone to the site and interacted with Goencho Ekvott founder Orville Dourado Rodrigues and local Congress leader Olencio Simoes. Fernandes then called for urgent intervention from the South Goa Collector.
On November 6, a meeting was held at the South Goa Collectorate, attended by representatives from RVNL, affected villagers, and Goencho Ekvott.
The residents claimed that the parties concerned had agreed to conduct a land survey on November 12 to demarcate the disputed area, before proceeding further with any construction.
Villagers said they were shocked to find that RVNL had resumed construction activity.
The villagers also alleged that the survey to clarify land ownership was also mired in controversy.
Following discussions with the deputy collector, it was decided that a new survey would be conducted with updated plans, data, and equipment on November 18.
Many villagers, represented by legal counsel and Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira Alvares, have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in the land acquisition process, which began in 2022.
