Vasco: Residents of Velsao, joined by political leaders, on Tuesday mounted a high-decibel protest against the railway's double-tracking work, accusing authorities of obstructing access to homes and conducting land acquisition without due process.
Leaders climb excavator to halt work
Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai and former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar joined villagers at the site and clambered onto an earthmover engaged in shifting construction material, effectively stopping the work. Protesters demanded immediate restoration of the right of way (RoW) and called for the resignation of Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, alleging he had remained silent on their concerns.
Sardesai questioned the MLA's absence from the agitation and accused the Centre of carrying out land acquisition in an unlawful manner. "Why isn’t he supporting his constituents? He is not bothered about the people," he said, according to reports. He also challenged the project's justification in the name of national interest.
"The illegality is institutionalised, and it is an attitude of the government," Sardesai said, accusing authorities of bypassing proper legal procedures.
Residents cite blocked access, disruptions to daily life
Villagers said the railway works had blocked the RoW, restricting access to homes and creating difficulties during essential activities, including funeral processions. Social activist Olencio Simoes described the land acquisition as forcible and said the obstruction had a direct impact on community life.
Former environment minister Alina Saldanha, Goencho Ekvott founding member Orville Dourado Rodrigues, and other local figures such as Peter D’Souza and Jayesh Shetgaonkar were present at the protest, lending support to the residents’ demands.
Administration engages with villagers
Officials including the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Mormugao), Pratap Gaonkar, attended the site and listened to grievances raised by the villagers. The presence of administration officials indicates steps towards dialogue, though protesters demanded immediate remedial action.
| Issue | Claim / Impact |
|---|---|
| Blocked Right of Way | Residents report restricted access to homes and disruption to funeral processions |
| Land acquisition | Alleged forcible acquisition without following due legal process |
| Political response | Local leaders joined protest; demand resignation of MLA Anton Vas |
Political and legal dimensions
Sardesai framed the issue as symptomatic of a wider governance problem, alleging that institutional illegality was being normalised. Patkar described the railways' actions as "trespassing" and warned that the protest movement could spread across the state if grievances remained unaddressed. "Today’s protest is a trailer, and it will continue across the state. The government should not play with people’s power which is supreme," Patkar said, according to accounts of the demonstration.
The confrontation raises questions on procedure followed by the railway authorities for land acquisition and whether statutory safeguards — including notices, hearings and compensation mechanisms — were completed before commencing construction activities. The presence of senior administrative officers suggests an attempt at immediate grievance redressal; however, residents indicated they sought concrete assurances on restoring access and halting work till issues were resolved.
What residents want
- Immediate protection and restoration of the registered right of way to ensure normal movement.
- Clarification and transparency on how land for the project was acquired, with documentary proof of compliance with legal procedures.
- Engagement with local representatives and affected families before further construction proceeds.
The protest in Velsao reflects growing local resistance to infrastructure projects where communities feel consultation and safeguards have been inadequate. With political leaders visibly involved, the issue is likely to gain further attention until administrative or judicial remedies address the villagers' core demands.
Officials at the railway authorities and the office of the Cortalim MLA had not issued a public statement at the time of reporting.
