City needs organised
transportation system
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The frequent and unpredictable closures and re-openings of roads in Panaji have created significant traffic congestion and frustration for commuters. This has led to a disregard for traffic rules, with many drivers now ignoring “No Entry” signs to circumvent the chaos. This is making things dangerously unsafe too.
To mitigate these issues, it is crucial to implement more structured traffic management plans during roadwork. Implementing an “Odd-Even” system, where vehicles with odd-numbered and even-numbered license plates are allowed on alternate days, could significantly reduce traffic volume and alleviate congestion while construction work is underway. This measure would not only improve traffic flow but also contribute to a more organized and efficient transportation system in the city.
To minimize disruption caused by road closures, daily maps indicating open and closed roads should be published in local newspapers until the work is completed.
Piyush Panchal, by email
Great arrangements
for the Exposition
Truly a wonderful and memorable experience, left me amazed at the arrangements made which synchronized like clockwork, hundreds of volunteers devoting their precious time guiding pushing the wheelchairs of the disabled with dedication expecting no reward, the use of electric Golf carts to ferry the elderly and handicapped persons was an intelligent solution. Instinctively I reached my pocket to give a tip, when I raised my head I saw a board on the e-buggy which politely read ‘Please do not tip’. I soon realized that service of love and affection cannot be repaid with money in true spirit of the saint we came to venerate, in all we need to appreciate the excellent organisation put up by church, volunteers, holy congregation of bishops, priests ,sisters, helpers for their punctuality, a big round of applause to the impresario of this great event Sandip Jaques IAS and Fr Henry Falcão the coordinator, Fr Lawrence and Fr Patricio.
The live choir of young violinists gave an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility. My late father who was a lawyer used to travel often via Borim to Panjim would stop at Old Goa to pray for Divine wisdom for fair justice.
Old Goa still maintains its antiquity from 75 years back. Thanks to the government of Pramod Sawant for his generosity and help. The meaning Acronym of DNA has to be changed now to Divine Noble Acts.
Agnelo Furtado, Chinchinim
Road digging
never ends
People heaved a sigh of relief that the Smart City work was over. Road digging continues under Smart City causing chaos along the Don Bosco school road, near the market and other places. Now the roads have to be re-laid again once the works are complete. It’s a blatant misuse of taxpayers money.
Most of the public concerns stem from roads being re-dug often. It has become a common sight for us to see the roads being dug very often in almost all the areas. Due to digging of roads, traffic congestion and haphazard parking in the state capital has created chaos. This is a miserable image of Goa which is supposed to be a tourist destination. These dug up roads are impacting business and commuters. It also leads to air pollution which is an alarming subject for the health of citizens.
Pedestrians and vehicle users are the worst affected. Free movement of vehicles is hindered and it has become a nightmare for motorists to navigate.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Loud music has negative
effects on children
It is learnt that the Ahmedabad district Child Protection Unit has reportedly issued a notice to the British rock band ‘Coldplay’ not to allow children below five years at the concert to be held in the city.
The notice also stated that children between 5-18 years should be allowed with ear plugs in order to ensure that loud noise does not pose any damage to their ears. Compare this with the children living along the coastal belt in Goa being subjected to loud music every single night.
These pubs play loud music beyond the permissible time limit, and also much louder than levels permitted. Compared to adults, children may be more vulnerable to noise effects because they are growing and developing. Loud music for long periods of time can have many negative effects on children, including hearing loss.
Other negative effects include increased heart rate and heightened emotional responses. Elevated blood pressure and other cardio- vascular ailments can be found in children who are chronically exposed to loud noise. Loud music produces stress and sleep problems. It can cause stomach upset. It affects their ability to concentrate and remember things which in turn causes a decline in their learning ability. A study of the effect of loud music on children living along the coastal belt needs to be carried out by the health department which will give a clear picture of the extent of damage that has been caused.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Constant repairs of
New Patto Bridge
The picture titled, “Bridge Bottleneck,” (O Heraldo, 4.1.2025) depicts the repairs being undertaken last week of the New Patto Bridge. In November 2024, during the peak of the monsoon season, large crevices had formed along the expansion joints on the part of the bridge coming into the city. A temporary arrangement was made by covering it with steel plates. On Friday (3rd Jan) the same spot was being repaired and there was a traffic pile-up till Divja Circle. The work could have carried out at night, instead of at mid-day and on a working day when the roads are packed with locals and tourists.
This bridge, with entry into and exit from Panaji has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Some years back, a crack had developed on the side of the bridge exiting from the city and was patched up. Fixing steel plates would not solve the problem. This bridge being an important link needs to be well-maintained and re-built at places before any unfortunate incident takes place.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Guarantee MSP
for farmers
The protest of ‘fast-unto-death’ by the tenacious Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal sends a strong message to the ruling BJP that his fight for the legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price is for farmers from all States, and not just restricted to Punjab alone.
The MSP for key agricultural commodities has been a persistent sticking point in the negotiations between the government and the farmers. Over the years the problems of Indian farmers have worsened as farm incomes have been squeezed by slower output growth, higher costs and increased vulnerability to changing climates.
It is neither the paucity of funds nor the lack of infrastructural and institutional mechanisms to ensure a guaranteed MSP, but basically a lack of understanding of what agriculture needs and above all a lack of political commitment to ensure remunerative prices to farmers.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
