Goa has always ushered in “new years” with traditional revelry and pomp. While the celebrations continue, the opening day of 2026 calls for a reflection on the road travelled and the journey ahead. The year 2025 was marked by challenges of varied kinds. There were lessons to learn, and there is unfinished business.
Politically, it is advantage-BJP, for it continued its dominance over the political landscape, convincingly winning the recent Zilla Panchayat elections. The government, to its credit, has established the third district at the fag end of December; introduced the ST Reservation Bill; achieved 100 per cent literacy; topped the NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index rankings; presented the much-awaited Agriculture Policy; brought in sweeping land and housing reforms and took giant strides in the digital world, introducing online systems in various areas of governance.
However, going ahead, the road remains challenging, and none of the achievements of the past may help the government to navigate the course, one that leads to the 2027 Assembly elections. A crucial question would be whether the development success and policies of the government can propel it in 2026.
Conserving land resources and environmental sustainability are two crucial parameters that the government has been tested repeatedly. We saw it in 2024-2025, and certainly, we will see it in 2026. Goa’s natural beauty and ecological balance have been increasingly threatened by unregulated tourism, real estate expansion, and industrial activities. The rapid surge in “outside” land lobbies making their presence felt through large-scale unregulated development will face its test. What Goans would look forward to are policies that can promote eco-tourism and inclusive development with the active involvement of locals.
It is heartening to see a call given by retired Justice Ferdino Rebello appealing to citizens to collectively fight land conversions, Coastal Regulation Zone violations and offshore casinos. Around 500 villagers from Arambol holding a torch march to protest the alleged conversion of nearly 3.5 lakh sq metres of forested hill land; Chimbel residents going on a hunger strike over the Unity Mall proposal stating that it will destroy the fragile eco-system around the Toyyar Lake; and the several other cases are indicative of the fact that development decisions will increasingly face the scrutiny of common citizens.
The year 2025 saw gangs and goons openly flexing their muscle and weapons. Gun culture became prominent. There were gang clashes and violence that literally made a mockery of the law enforcement systems. An activist was brutally assaulted in broad daylight at Caranzalem, while gunshots were fired in another clash along the Mungul-Colva road. Add to this the two daring robberies — one at Ganeshpuri-Mapusa and the other at Vasco. The fear of police and law enforcers appeared to have been lost as criminals struck with ease. It is to be seen how policing adapts to newer challenges and rebuilds trust with the people.
While noise pollution dominated 2024 and most of 2025, the illegalities of nightclubs, coastal restaurants and business establishments became the talking points following the horrific Birch fire at Arpora, which killed 25 people. The coastal north has opened up into a sea of illegalities, with dozens of outlets going under the scanner for illegalities, from fire safety violations to illegal constructions. On Wednesday, the Magisterial Inquiry report submitted to the government last week was made public, and it is to be seen what action is initiated against those held responsible.
The year 2026 undoubtedly comes with the baggage of 2025, but there are expectations and challenges all around. The dawn of this new year is not just a time for hope but a call to action—a time for all Goans to unite and shape a better tomorrow.
