It was reported that the government will try and get Amitabh Bacchan to inaugurate this year’s IFFI. One has seen the slant of IFFI from the beginning towards making it a ground for the publicity of Bollywood stars which pattern seems to be continuing. But IFFI is an international film festival, isn’t it? Then why can we not get international stars like Leonardo di Caprio or Penelope Cruz? In any case, at a press conference it was also said that the government has finally discovered the wisdom of not spending Rs. 1.5 crore on a temporary air-conditioned hangar for use only for the IFFI opening and closing ceremonies and this money will be used to improve the sound system of the new facility at Bambolim. If such kind of amounts are available at the disposal of this government then why are they not giving Rs 15 Lakhs which is all it will cost for the pavement of the 600 meter stretch from the small children’s park near Gauri Petrol Pump to Jeevottam Math on the left side of the NH17 at Porvorim. This money will not only save the 36 trees that are under the threat from some drunken truck or bus driver bringing down one of the trees which has already happened at the Cosme Menezes factory in the middle of this stretch and the jagged tree trunk is there for all to see.
Forget that the pavement will help make pedestrians lives safer since that aspect seems to be the last priority of this government. I have written to the CM on this on the 8th July 2014 reminding him of his promise two years ago but sadly with no response. Signing off it is a happy thought that the 2nd Zuari bridge will be fully funded by the Central Govt. but that should not mean that the 3rd Mandovi Bridge should be fully funded by the State govt. The same money in excess of Rs 500 crores can be used more judiciously for completing some 12 other bridge projects in Goa which will spread the happiness and make life easier for a larger and more dispersed population than only benefiting the people of Panjim.
