The South Western Railway (SWR) officer confirmed that the new track which was supposed to be laid on the west side of Velsao has now been moved to the east to safeguard the locals’ houses and structures.
This is good news for the villagers of Velsao and Cansaulim as the SWR has now decided to move the upcoming railway track from the west to the east where there are no structures.
On Monday morning, the SWR officers along with the villagers of Velsao and Cansaulim undertook a site inspection of the railway track work.It came as good news to the villagers as the SWR has identified two points where two underpasses will be built for the benefit of the locals.
Furthermore, the locals who were opposing the doubling of the railway track, saying that their heritage houses would be affected, are now going to be relieved as the track will be brought to the east instead of the west.
Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas told reporters, “I will try my level best to solve the problems of the people. I will discuss the double-tracking matter with the SWR officers.”
He further said, “I was informed by the SWR officer that the railway track which was initially supposed to come in the west side has now been shifted to the east which will save locals' houses.”
A villager said that the Cansaulim and Velsao locals were facing great inconvenience in crossing the railway track. Many-a-times they were forced to pass under the wagons to get to the other side. But now with the underpass being built shortly many of these problems will be solved.
An SWR officer re-confirmed that the Cortalim MLA has suggested two locations to build underpasses for locals. "We are also planning to take up the third railway line on the eastern side of the track so that no existing structures of the locals are damaged," the officer added.
It may be recalled that for the last three years the railway double-tracking project has been vehemently opposed by the locals of Velsao, Cansaulim and other villages of South Goa.
One of the main reasons for the opposition to this project was that the locals feared their heritage houses would be damaged. But now, considering several objections from the locals, SWR has decided to shift the new track from the west to the east only to safeguard the houses.