No diversions
Your article on The Goan Everyday, April 22 blames the Goa government for not undertaking its own study regarding the run off and yield in the Mhadei river basin, while there are a few studies conducted by the central agencies. Goa can adopt one such study which is favourable to it, like the one pointed out by the IIT at 108.72 TMC feet yield. But, that is not the point. The entire case rests on (i) that as per the National water policy, the water from one river basin cannot be transferred to another basin without satisfying its own needs; (ii) that as per another study, the Mhadei basin is a deficit basin and hence no share of water can be transferred to Karnataka even for drinking purposes in another river basin (Dharwad and Hubli).
The attempt by Karnataka government to divert the water unilaterally from Mhadei basin without consent from Goa or environmental clearance from centre and without assessing the needs of Goa could not have been stopped without Goa going to the tribunal. Be that as it may, the yield figures are relevant only if the water can be diverted to Karnataka or Maharastra as a right to be used within same basin. As it is, even when no diversion is taking place, the river is saline up to more than 55 kilometres up stream. It is only the remaining water in Goa area that is being utilised by the Opa purification plant and being supplied to northern half of Goa. If the water is diverted based on the catchment areas of both the states as proportion to the total yield, there would be no drinking water for north Goa, forget about the damage to natural flora and fauna. Hence, the diversion of even one TMC Feet of water has to be objected to by Goa.
A. Venkataratnam, Porvorim
Stricter laws for negligent driving
Not a single day passes without reports of accidents occurring in various parts of Goa, claiming precious lives and rendering many injured with scars for the rest of their lives. It is shocking that a small state like Goa has one of the highest rates of accidents in the country. According to statistics, Goa has a death rate of 44 per lac population, well above the national average of 36 per lac population.
Recently, two youngsters lost their lives when their two wheeler was hit by a truck near Mapusa. A youngster was fatally run over near Vasco by another truck a few days back. And recently, two women were killed by a speeding truck at Tilamol, Quepem. It's time the motor vehicle law was amended and made up to date, especially with regard to imposition of stringent penalties for rash and negligent driving causing death or serious injury, including suspension of driving licence for a minimum period of six months to three years, depending on the gravity of the action. And stiff penalties by way of fines, besides compensation for damages. This would serve as a deterrence. And a stiff jail sentence for causing death or grievous injury would go a long way in curbing the menace of rash and negligent driving. Thousands of precious lives are being lost all over the country every month. It's time to take drastic measures to curb this menace, before more lives are lost.
Albert Colaco
