Velsao’s Five-Year Struggle Against Railway Double Tracking

Velsao’s Five-Year Struggle Against Railway Double Tracking

Velsao, Goa: The people of Velsao, Pale, and Issorcim have been fiercely resisting the railway double-tracking project since November 2020. Despite widespread opposition, the work continues, raising alarms over land rights, environmental destruction, and threats to Goa’s cultural heritage.

The villagers, backed by the Village Action Committee Against Double-Tracking (VACAD) and Goencho Ekvott, have fought tirelessly against the project. They argue that their ancestral lands, safeguarded by Portuguese-era legal documents, are being forcibly taken without proper legal justification. Meanwhile, the railways have failed to produce clear title documents to prove ownership.

A Battle for Heritage, Environment, and Identity

The double-tracking project is widely seen as a move to facilitate coal transportation rather than serve the interests of Goans. The region is home to fragile ecosystems, historic homes, and communities that have lived here for generations. The project threatens:

Heritage homes that define Goa’s unique architectural and cultural identity.
Livelihoods of locals dependent on agriculture, fishing, and traditional occupations.
Environmental stability, as the track expansion cuts through biodiverse landscapes.
Legal rights, as villagers allege procedural violations in land acquisition.

From Assembly to Parliament: A Fight for Justice

The resistance in Velsao has reached Goa’s Legislative Assembly and even the Indian Parliament. Activists and leaders have repeatedly questioned the necessity of this project and demanded that the government uphold the Supreme Court’s order, which explicitly prohibits double tracking between Castle Rock and Vasco. However, despite legal and public opposition, railway authorities continue to push forward, disregarding the voices of the people.

Wildlife Board Recommends Dropping Vasco-Castlerock-Tinaighat Double Tracking

The National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has also weighed in on the matter, recommending that the double-tracking of the Vasco-Castlerock-Tinaighat section be dropped altogether. Instead, they have suggested that double-tracking be laid along the Hubballi-Ankola route, which is a less ecologically sensitive corridor.

During a standing committee meeting last month, board members reviewing Karnataka’s proposal for the Hubballi-Ankola rail project emphasized the need to avoid deforestation. Given that the Vasco-Castlerock-Tinaighat route cuts through dense forests and fragile ecosystems, the NBWL recommended that this section be spared from double-tracking.

Why is the Railway Ignoring Expert Recommendations?

Despite recommendations from the Supreme Court and the National Board of Wildlife, railway authorities remain adamant about pushing forward with the Vasco-Castlerock double-tracking. This raises serious concerns about whether the project is truly meant for public benefit or if it serves corporate interests, particularly coal transportation.