Team Goemkarponn
VELSAO: Residents of Velsao on Monday confronted railway officials at Level Crossing No. 26 over its scheduled overnight closure, expressing anger over the alleged failure to inform the local Panchayat and affected communities in advance.
The Railways has scheduled the closure from 10 pm on October 12 to 5 am on October 13 to facilitate the laying of the second railway track as part of the ongoing double-tracking project.
Locals expressed concern that the Velsao-Pale-Issorcim Village Panchayat had allegedly not been informed about the proposed closure. They also claimed that, unlike on previous occasions, no public notice had been displayed near the level crossing to alert residents and road users.
Taking serious objection to the alleged lack of communication, social worker Roquezinho D’Souza, Aliston Pinto and Panch Jim D’Souza, along with other residents, confronted railway officials at the site and sought an explanation for the manner in which the closure had been scheduled.
The fishing community has expressed particular concern over the closure, claiming that it could disrupt their daily operations and fishing-related activities. Fishermen said they were unaware of the proposed closure and questioned why the affected community had not been informed beforehand.
During the confrontation, railway officials reportedly assured residents that necessary steps would be taken to minimise inconvenience during the closure period.
Meanwhile, Roquezinho D’Souza said he would approach the local MLA to request that the MLA’s office ambulance be stationed near the Velsao Panchayat office during the closure to ensure access to emergency medical assistance for residents.
The South Goa District Collector has granted permission for the partial and temporary closure of the road to facilitate the railway work, subject to conditions relating to traffic management, diversion signage, barricading, lighting and the deployment of security personnel.
The incident has once again brought the issue of public consultation and communication surrounding railway double-tracking works in South Goa into focus. Residents are demanding that the Panchayat, affected communities and road users be informed well in advance of such closures.
With the closure scheduled from October 12 to 13, residents remain concerned about disruptions to daily movement, fishing activities and access to emergency services.
