Time for the ‘Smart City’ of Panjim to wake up
Will it take the death of 19-year-old Arti Gond for our snoozing administration to wake up?
Imagine the trauma the family must be going through over the loss of their loved one.
Arti was crossing the main road in the capital city near Panjim Municipal garden and she should have been safe. All her death has brought forth are excuses and justifications. What if Arti had been a minister's daughter. Would her life have more value? Would we see action instead of words?
Everyone talks about Panjim needing to be a Smart City. What about it being a Safe city first? We need to spend on the priorities.
In fact, the concerned department whether it is Forest or Municipality must ensure they have the most efficient tools and other gadgets ready to combat such accidents.
Many times such departments fail to rescue people fallen under the debris or meet with accidents. In fact, the Government needs to be proactive and listen to people who are reporting these accidents waiting to happen.
Recently in my locality, some labourers were sent to clear the grass from the side of the roads and when my neighbour requested them to cut down a branch of a tree which was hanging precariously and almost touching the electric pole wires, they told her they did not have the equipment to do so. If the authorities continue to ignore the danger, then precious lives can be lost if any tragedy occurs.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Regular pruning of trees can prevent deaths
The tragic death of a teenage girl due to a falling tree in the heart of Panjim once again brings into focus the failure of the Government and the competent authorities to have a regular programme of assessment and trimming and reduction of the height of trees which can prevent such tragic deaths. Abroad where the authorities really care for the safety of the people and the protection of trees, there is a continuous round the year program of trimming the trees and reducing the height to prevent tragic events.
Many times it is noticed that the authorities, adopting shortcuts, instead of reducing the height of the trees, just chop off the lower branches, thus making the matters worse .
For years citizens have been focusing on this problem, but it appears that the authorities the forest department, and others, do not pay adequate heed to citizens views. Will this tragic death bring about a change of attitude?
Rosario Menezes, Vasco
Speed governors a must for rental vehicles
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly told the state legislative assembly that a total of 272 road accidents involving rent-a-car/bike have been reported since 2019. During this period, there have been 215 road accidents involving rented cars and 57 mishaps involving rented bikes. Rented cars have been involved in stunts, rash driving, driving on the beach and even fields, standing through sun-roof, jumping red-signal, driving in wrong lane, drunken driving, etc. all of which are violations of Motor Vehicle Act and punishable under various Sections. It is pertinent to note that in a bid to enhance road safety and accountability, a new regulation was unveiled pertaining to the rental of vehicles.
Individuals seeking to hire cars or bikes are mandated to sign an undertaking before venturing onto Goan roads. By signing the undertaking, renters acknowledge their commitment to obeying traffic laws, driving responsibly, and safeguarding the well-being of fellow road users. There are many reasons for rented vehicles getting involved in accidents. These vehicles are mostly rented by tourists who are not aware of the topography of Goa and the diversion on the Goan roads. They are also negligent as regards following the traffic rules. Speed governors need to be made mandatory and the traffic police need to get access to GPS data from rental cars.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Paris Olympics beckon memorable moments
Friday, 26th of July is set to be a red letter day in the annals of sports. Paris is hosting the Olympics in what is being touted as one of the best ever, keenly being awaited with fanfare and adulation. The Olympic motto of `Citius, Altius and Fortius' will be in full display at the games. Could the well-chiselled American sprinter Noah Lyles surpass the all-time record of Usain Bolt in the 100 meters dash.
Usain Bolt has the record of 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters. Also will Swedish American Armand Duplantis beat his own record of 6.24 meters in the pole vault event. Spectators are waiting with bated breath for the outcome. Also is it possible that British strongest man in the world Tom Stoltman could annex a gold. The record held by America's Michael Phelps seems to be safe for the 23 golds he has won individually in swimming events. Even his 8 golds in one Olympics surpassing his compatriot Mark Spitz will be difficult to beat. Sports lovers are in for 17 days of fantastic sporting extravaganza and many will be looking to make their mark on this glittering sporting occasion.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Fate of our soldiers in Jammu & Kashmir
It is unfortunate that invariably every day, we are losing our valiant soldiers to terrorists’ attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. A count of the number of soldiers and civilians we have lost ever since the ruling BJP government abrogated Article 370, bifurcated the state, classified it as Union Territory and brought it under the Lt Governor’s rule, will be mind boggling.
The main reason for the failure of the entire operation is that everything has been done in such a tearing hurry by the saffron government, without proper planning and or envisaging the repercussions that would crop up, post imposition of such crucial decisions without taking all the stake holders into confidence. Looking at the seriousness of the situation, it seems, a larger company of 3,000 more soldiers have been sent to the problem state, to quell the terror attacks.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai