I was most impressed by John Thorogood’s letter February 19. We too stay in Goa for several months each year and have also encountered these deterrents. Only last week a friend visiting us from UK told us how he submitted his and his wife’s visa applications online, hers was accepted but his was rejected for some unspecified issue with his photograph. He was asked to resubmit but told he would have to pay another £80 and that the first payment was not refundable.

First impressions are vital for return business and quite apart from the long wait and manic atmosphere when arriving at Dabolim, taxis are holding tourists to ransom with their exorbitant charges, refusing to fit meters and going on strike whenever it suits them plus hotels and other accommodation is hugely over priced by European standards. I agree that shops and restaurants etc are still doing a wonderful job under great pressure but how long can they hang on?

There are also other matters which deter the of return of tourists. One major issue is traffic, which appears to be lawless! I know there are traffic rules but barely any are enforced, every other car you pass has a driver on their phone talking or texting plus cars and scooters zig zagging in a terrifying manner often on the wrong side of the road etc. Nobody seems to be enforcing the rules other than at check points for crash helmet violations and occasional traffic police, half-heartedly directing traffic at junctions. Tourists feel they are taking their life in their hands if they want to go out and look at real Goa and put some money back into the local economy rather than stay put in a hotel complex. 

In addition, there are the roads - I realise they are a ‘work in progress’ and have come a long way in the past 20 years but the impression on arrival is that Goa is a building site - also, whilst these huge roads (which seem to want to whisk people through Goa without stopping to appreciate or enjoy it) are being built, the smaller roads which keep the local population in business and provide access for tourists are in chaos. 

I love Goa and I will continue to return but, despite the wonderful weather, delicious food and the welcoming, ever cheerful locals I fear for long term tourism - particularly if the Tourism Department thinks that the answer is to return to Electronic ‘Music’ Beach parties which will not improve Goa’s image or appeal to the older tourist with more money to spend.

Susan Sarin, Dona Paula

All over Goa we now hear of many cases of devastation of the environment, chopping of thousands of trees, filling of water bodies, cutting of hills etc. all connected to the massive road development plan by the Goa Government. 

 Yes, we need roads/widening but can we trust our Government to put some common sense into what is actually required and if so, how are we work around to minimize the devastation; by also engaging with the public!  By what we see in Goa how the Government is allowing the devastation of Goa, I seriously doubt that environment, trees, water bodies, hills etc are a priority to safeguard for our Government!

Many people kept quite to news of such destruction elsewhere in Goa until their area was affected! Surely, if we put a united front we can still stop this Menace by a Govt who is carefully pursuing their destructive road plans in secrecy!

Also, I am thinking what’s so important that the Government is bulldozing even basic environmental standards to get these roads done? Are there huge vested interest here? Are there corporates involved who are getting the Government to sacrifice Goa for the illegitimate profits? Are the huge kickbacks from this road “destructive” development Plan Politicians and their backers!  Whatever it is, many things are not right! Surely we know that the Goan politicians do not prioritize the common man or the environment- the priority is to maximise their personal wealth and their political clout!  

I suggest that we strongly look at these road plans and most of it where not required can be stopped. 

Arwin Mesquita, Colva

It must be said that one of the cleaniest and most easy form of energy is the solar energy. The government has notified the Solar Energy Policy to promote unconventional electricity generation

. It would be in the fitness of things to have solar powered streetlights, specially, in the remote villages. Traffic signals also need to be solar powered instead of the conventional energy. Residential housing colonies need to be encouraged to install solar panels so that they are self-sufficient in the power requirement.

 It is pertinent to not that many schools in remote villages do not have electricity connections. Such schools should also have solar panels installed in the premises so that they are self-sufficient in their power requirements.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

 Buses and trains are more affordable, and convenient, for many travellers. It is unavoidable for the passengers to go to Railway stations and bus stands to catch their choice  of transport.  This brings us to the question, "how safe are our stations and bus stands"?  The answer, I am afraid, is not encouraging.      

Right from the time one enters the portals of many of these stations, apprehension, anxiety and  anger grips the psyche. Porters trailing behind like a shadow to carry one's luggage to strange looking characters throwing curious glances to dirty byways obstructing one's smooth passage, the hardship faced by commuters are plenty. Pick- pocketeers pounce on gullible-looking travellers.  There are examples of money changing hands to reach  another near-by town by the time a traveller has detected his pocket has been picked.   

 It is unfortunate that another type of mafia runs even in a city like Bengaluru.   Recently, there was an incident where an engineer was robbed of his money and valuables while commuting to the bus stand by an autorickshaw driver. He was threatened and blackmailed by the driver, and a woman who joined enroute.  The frightened man was propelled into submission by warning him of dire consequences if he made a show: he would be accused of molesting the woman.  Finally, the harrowed passenger managed to wriggle out of the clutches of the blackmailers by providence.   There are so many passengers who are lured by women on bus stands and railway stations, similar to Bengaluru, and the victims keep their mouth shut to preserve their honour. The writ of such people runs large and the police, one wonders, are either one among the "party" or are resigned to their helpless state.    

Ganapathi  Bhat, Akola

The problem of child labour is quite widespread across India. In spite of the many child labour laws, the problem continues to effect the lives of thousands of children.

The adverse effects of this problem affect the growth, development and progress of our nation, not only millions of underage children are forced to work in factories, shops, glass-blowing industry etc they are paid the minimum wages.

 Through your esteemed daily, I appeal to the government to take some proactive measures to stop this problem of child labour and ensure education for them. 

Undoubtedly there are many laws against child labour, however their poor implementation is responsible for the continuation of the problem. 

Sahili S Sawant Dessai, Curchorem