The six-lane elevated Porvorim corridor is an important piece of infrastructure for Goa. Stretching 5.50 km and constructed at a cost of Rs 664.6 crore, the corridor is expected to significantly ease traffic movement through one of the state’s busiest stretches. The project is scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on September 9 and opened to traffic from September 11. There is, however, a larger human reality that deserves consideration. Nepal has been struck by a devastating natural calamity, with floods reportedly claiming hundreds of lives and leaving thousands missing. Families have lost loved ones, communities have been devastated, and countless people are now struggling to rebuild their lives after an unimaginable tragedy. At a time like this, celebrations, even for an important public infrastructure project, need to be viewed through the lens of compassion and sensitivity. There is no need for elaborate celebrations, grand entertainment or displays of opulence. More importantly, the occasion could begin with a moment of silence in memory of those who have lost their lives in Nepal. Let the inauguration remind us that while infrastructure connects places, humanity connects people.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
