Road cave-ins can lead to accidents
We are all too familiar with pot-holed roads in the State. But in the years-gone-by, one seldom heard of roads caving-in. This has become a somewhat recent phenomenon and is occurring across the State.
A section of the main road at Conshem-Nirankal in Ponda caved in following heavy rains thereby creating a serious hazard for motorists. A crater has also formed at the affected location, further endangering commuters. Panjim saw several instances of road cave-ins with the Smart City project in progress even before the onset of monsoon. Wheels of cars and heavy vehicles like trucks and buses invariably get stuck in the roads when they cave-in leading to accidents.
Haphazard and unscientific digging of roads for underground cabling and other works has been the prime reason for roads caving-in. When roads are dug up they need to be filled up properly with mud before the tarring work. If the mud is loosely dumped, rainwater seeps in. Poor drainage and wrong gradient of the road are among the other reasons for frequent cave-ins. Both factors lead to waterlogging which destroys the bituminous surface of the road and leads to water seepage. Seepage over a prolonged period will weaken the soil under the road. In this case, the soil particles are not held together, creating less density, thus losing its stability and forcing the road to cave in. Certain soil types are more susceptible to erosion by water, making them more prone to cave-ins. Safety audit of roads that have been dug for various underground work and of faulty road-engineering is the need of the hour.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
The price of progress
Why are we surprised that Mumbai floods each year during monsoon, when the city has been built by reclaiming land from the sea?
In the late 18th century, when William Hornby, the Governor of Bombay, initiated the city’s first reclamation in the Worli creek, little would he have imagined how Mumbai’s geographical contours would change over time. And recently, over 10 million tonnes of rock cleaved from quarries in Navi Mumbai have been dumped into the sea to reclaim 111 hectares of land on stretches between Marine Drive, Breach Candy and Worli for the new coastal road.
The natural water channels, mangroves, and wetlands that once absorbed monsoon rains were gradually replaced by concrete structures and roads thus impacting the city’s flood resilience. The original creek systems and tidal inlets served as natural drainage channels, allowing rainwater to flow unhindered into the Arabian Sea. Modern ‘development’ has obstructed these pathways, the city’s stormwater drainage system, designed during the British era, struggles to cope with intense rainfall, particularly during high tides. This pattern continues today, with many areas experiencing severe waterlogging during heavy rains. This is the price we are paying for the chimera called ‘progress’.
Misha, Varca
A champion in
every sense
Rafael Nadal never broke a racquet in his entire professional tennis career. Early on, when he became frustrated, his coach uncle Toni told him that many children would like to have a tennis racquet yet could not afford one. He never forgot the lesson that he had a greater responsibility being a good person than being a champion.
In a farewell from Roland Garros graced by fellow legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Nadal was brought to tears by the presence of some unsung heroes of tennis. While Nadal was adored on centre court winning those 14 French Open titles, he was also loved by the tournament officials and the ball kids.
“They are able to see you every single day, to see how you react after losing, after winning and how you behave during all these moments, the drivers, the waterboys, the ball kids. They have contributed to my blood, toil sweat and tears, in a way they were the wind beneath my wings,” he said.
In the end, Nadal wanted to be remembered as a player who people would always be happy to see when he comes back on court even when not playing. That is the important thing and that is his legacy cast in stone. Rarely has a player dominated the arena the way Nadal has, thank you Rafa for all those matches and the goodwill that you leave behind. There can be no greater role model for sport and for human beings in general. Adios.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Ensure animal welfare
The ethical treatment of animals in Indian agriculture is a pressing issue. The use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock farming enhances productivity, but it raises serious concerns. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) warns that antibiotic resistance could cause 10 million deaths annually worldwide by the year 2050.
On our dairy farms, growth hormones are widely used. A study reveals the presence of antibiotic residues in 10% of milk samples, highlighting the health risks. Environmental impacts are equally troubling, with farm runoff contaminating water sources and harming ecosystems. Inconsistent regulations further complicate the issue, affecting trade and standards.
Are these practices necessary for food security, or do they represent a modern-day sin against ethical and sustainable farming? It is crucial to advocate for humane, environmentally-friendly practices that ensure animal welfare and protect public health.
Jubel D’Cruz, Dombivli