Transport woes
For those visitors who have no friends or relatives picking them up from the airport and railway stations, cabs, rickshaws and motorcycle pilots remain the only means of transport. Unlike some of the other states, ferrying passengers to-and-from railways stations has never been considered a public service here in Goa. Hence quite many travelers have to depend on other modes of public transport. The presence of a pre-paid taxi service at the Dabolim airport and so also at the Thivim and Margao railway stations have thus proved very beneficial for the travelling public. Or so it seemed! The association managing the pre-paid taxi booth essentially catered to passengers who wanted to travel long distances. Those wishing to hire cabs for short distances were brusquely asked to step aside citing reasons of unavailability of taxis. These unions have been famous for locking horns with the government now and then over issues that have been counterproductive to their organizations. Yet, they have no regrets over putting the public to inconvenience by their insolent behaviour. Moreover, the absence of any police personnel to redress the grievances of such commuters was more than obvious.
Pachu Menon, Margao
Blocked
The entry to Hindu Pharmacy, Panaji and other establishments are blocked by the vendors who have occupied all the pavements all around Garcia de Orta. As a result getting medicines on emergency basis was extremely difficult. There are hundred of vendors and goods packed all around the pavement and on streets therefore mobility of traffic on the roads near Garcia de Orta is totally blocked, due to the Panaji feast for the next few days. The High Court had directed the MMC Margao Council to have such functions in open areas and not on the streets and pavement.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Wake up call
The Canacona floods; the floods in Mumbai and other parts of India during normal monsoons, and now the horrific Chennai floods have to re-orient the government's policy towards ease of business and development by relaxing environment clearance norms. There is absolute absence of "Prevention is better than cure" attitude. The world is now sitting up and taking notice as can be seen in the Paris world environment and climate change discussions. The Chennai tragedy has been aggravated by greedy and unplanned unsustainable development. Besides over Rs10 thousand crores damage, loss of lives of humans and cattle, millions are driven out of their homes along with pets and cattle. Insurance losses are estimated as 500 thousand crores. Will any lessons be learnt, politicians and bureaucrats be held accountable and punished? Or will the "Refresh" button be pressed as usual, money poured in to reconstruct and to praise and reward the action taken by a negligent and irresponsible government?
The authorities hastening to finalize our RP 2021 with a skewed procedure is in individuals and not in Goa's overall interest. There is a strong message from the Chennai disaster for Goa politicians and TCP authorities to ensure greed and unsustainable development is shunned, transparency and accountability flourishes in the nation's and the world's interests. This is now a serious matter of survival!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
