The long-awaited land demarcation process at Survey #18/1, Mollo, Pale Village, commenced today under the supervision of the Department of Survey & Land Records (DSLR). This action follows notices issued to directly affected landowners and a public notification in a local daily dated 14th December 2024. The process began at 10:30 AM in the presence of local villagers, railway officials, executives from the NGO Goencho Ekvott, the Talathi, and a significant police presence.
Allegations of Misuse of Authority
Goencho Ekvott highlighted serious concerns regarding the government’s prior actions. On 31st October 2023, the Government of Goa issued a certificate of possession to South Western Railways (SWR) without following due land acquisition procedures, including surveying and demarcation. This move raised alarm among villagers and activists.
Adding to the controversy, SWR applied for mutation on 21st November 2024, and local administration reportedly issued mutation certificates on the same day for lands not only in Mormugao (56 parcels) but also in Salcete, Quepem, and Sanguem Talukas. Such expedited processes have been labeled as blatant misuse of official machinery, setting a concerning precedent in the state.
Day 1 of Demarcation
By 1:00 PM today, DSLR completed plotting the coordinates of the land, with plans to resume the demarcation process tomorrow at 10:30 AM.
Confrontation Over Construction Activities
During the demarcation process, Orville Dourado Rodrigues, Founder Member of Goencho Ekvott, confronted senior officials of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) over the disturbances caused by their sub-contractors. Heavy earth-moving machinery and piling work reportedly continued late into the night, disturbing the peace of the densely populated village areas.
RVNL officials assured Rodrigues that construction activities would cease at dusk starting today. Failure to adhere to this commitment, villagers warned, might force them to take matters into their own hands, as previous complaints to authorities have gone unaddressed.
Goencho Ekvott remains resolute in safeguarding the interests of local communities and ensuring adherence to proper legal procedures.
