The next few weeks and months will reveal whether the government was right in opening the gates of Goa wide open for tourism. There is no doubt every industry has to survive, but was the government in the given current grave circumstances prudent in starting the boat cruises, casinos and now wanting to hold Sunburn? With hospitals already over stretched dealing with Covid cases, doctors are now further inundated with scores of road accidents on a daily basis caused by rash and drunken driving by some visiting tourists. And while the government wants to desperately welcome tourists to revive the economy it has miserably failed to ensure that the proper infrastructure is in place. A vivid example is the noted CHOGM road from Porvorim to the North Goa coastal belt which is in a pitiable and accident prone state with potholes all over. Even the stretch at Saligao in front of former Chief Minister late Dr Wilfred de Sousa’s residence is with craters galore. We know the state exchequer is cash starved. So there is need of rigorous austerity measures by scrapping vanity projects and getting the priorities right. At this point in time while the pandemic is raging the government needs to prioritise good health care for the poorest of the poor which should be the dedicated thrust of those in power - proposed Ribandar Health Care Centre and other medical facilities across Goa should be the government’s only priority at the moment. In these critical times, it could be a misadventure trying to hold ZP and municipal elections. We cannot even risk opening schools and celebrating festivals as the damage could be irreversible. As we are dealing with an unknown vicious virus, absolute caution and utmost care is the way forward. It is only decisive leadership and the implementation of a clear health and safety plan that puts lives and road safety before profit, that will determine whether we are successful in containing this pandemic and helping the many affected medically, economically and on our roads. Prevention is always better than cure!
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
