Laxmikant and Pyarelal were two different music directors, who took their first/last names for their music firm and its former name sake our present Chief Minister is also a good music listener must be enjoying this music too.
Few years ago, when our present Defense Minister was Goa`s Chief Minister, I had approached him with an economical and effective proposal to set up a garbage treatment plant, initially around Sonsoddo area in Salcete. On his demand I had presented him the entire project file from a firm in England. I had two meetings in his chamber at the old Secretariat and during the second meeting he had asked me to give the direct contact of the recommended company, which I did. His other question to me was: How am I involved in this project and what was my interest? I had told him that whenever I visited my mother-in-law in Curtorim and on the way drop by to meet our ex-chief minister and ex-South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, I could not bear the stench emanated from the rubbish piled up which rose up to be a mountain around the Manovikas School and the surrounding residential area. He was happy that I was taking interest in keeping Goa clean. Few months later his Government collapsed and when he came to power this time around I asked him if he remembered the subject. He replied in the affirmative. God alone knows what happened after that.
Around two years ago when he was still the CM of Goa, I presented another document, this time from an American Company based on French Island (not in France, of course) in Wisconsin, to Environment & Forest Minister and since there was no reaction, I handed over another set to Carlos Almeida Vasco MLA, who after inquiring with Parrikar, assured me that the Government has already finalized the project. Two years have passed the project must have disappeared in the thin air.
Now, coming back to the introduction of local train from Canacona to Pernem (Herald dated 23rd instant) it appears to me that this is another shot in the arm for the Mopa Airport project, although Francis D`Souza denies that it has nothing to do with the airport. Yes of course, Tiracol Golf Course also has nothing to do with the proposed, unwanted, uneconomical Mopa airport project. (I am not calling it Mopa airport) Also six lane highway connecting Canacona to Patradevi has nothing to do with the above project, we all know that.
Now, I have a suggestion: Once the above railway route is functional, Konkan Railway should organize to have more stops on the way right from Canacona, so that on the way the additional boogies attached to the train can carry garbage from all the villages through which the train will pass and Government of Goa sets up a garbage treatment plant in Pernem Taluka, where the Government has acquired or is yet to acquire a huge land tract. That will be certainly an ideal project, in case MOEF, Green Tribunal, People of Pernem and entire Goa go against the proposed Mopa airport.
Our Chief Minister is in the Hot Seat and has of late become popular for his witty remarks, very often for wrong reasons.
