Precautions needed at construction sites
Two people had a lucky escape after an iron rod from the under-construction flyover fell and pierced through the windshield of their car at Porvorim on Saturday. It must be said that vehicle drivers face a lot of danger as they drive through under-construction sites on the roads.
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This is true also for the flyover coming up on the Verna-Dabolim Airport highway. Construction work along the roads is taking place at several places in the state. Many-a-times there are no proper lighting and sign boards at such under-construction flyovers. The authorities should minimise and manage risk factors.
There needs to be security on the site as well as traffic police personnel directing the traffic. There needs to be provision for first-aid and ambulance at the site to face any eventuality. Construction safety doesn’t end once the project is completed and workers have gone home.
All parties involved in the construction process have a responsibility in ensuring that the right equipment and quality materials are used, so that safety risks are avoided. It is the responsibility of the authorities to secure objects onsite and minimise the risk of them falling.
Separate entry and exit points should be established for heavy machinery/vehicle access, to strengthen pedestrian safety.
Adelmo Fernandes,
Vasco
Taj Mahal in grave danger
It is distressing to note that the Taj Mahal, which is celebrated for its stunning beauty, has suffered dramatically from the effects of air pollution over the years. Once a shimmering white monument, it now bears the marks of environmental degradation.
This decline is primarily due to pollution from industrial activities and the increasing vehicle emissions in Agra, as well as the pollution of the Yamuna River, which runs behind this UNESCO world heritage site.
Importantly, the toxic gas emanating from the Yamuna has been doing greater harm, and it is said to be the main culprit behind the discolouration of the Taj’s glorious white marbles.
For over two decades, various Indian research institutes have explored restoration methods to reverse the discoloration of the Taj and revive the monument to its past glory, but all their efforts proved unsuccessful.
The 17th century Mughal architecture, which is a symbol of India’s rich history, needs swift and decisive action to restore its legendary lustre. Involving national and international experts can provide comprehensive solutions to safeguard this magnificent monument for future generations.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Eliminate curse of AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most fatal and deadly diseases the world is facing. Many of the cases can be found in rural areas due to lack of awareness. Hence, World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year to show solidarity with the people living with AIDS.
The people at risk in our country include blood donors, drug addicts, prisoners and sex workers. Government and non-governmental organisations should jointly raise awareness on its causes, symptoms and diagnosis. Moreover, it is the government’s duty to build more rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, carry out free nucleic acid tests to determine its presence, and rescue, rehabilitate and provide job opportunities to commercial sex workers.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Expat Goans must join fight to save our ecology
The threat of Climate Change is a real present danger to not only Goa but the world in general! For Goa in particular, there are dedicated activists fighting hard against a government extremely corrupt/destructive State government. But there are expatriate Goans, who don’t support Goan activists thinking all the ill effects of environment destruction won’t affect them!
Some Goans holding the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card (in Colva particularly), have gone berserk in facilitating the massive destruction of the environment (for real estate/commercial objectives, many times, via illegal means) with obviously the objective to use this ill-gotten wealth in their foreign adopted countries!
It’s important to note that the fight against eco-terrorists is happening in many parts of the world; including countries in the developed world where these specific Goans have adopted residency/citizenship! Hence, I hope Goans understand this and join in large numbers in the fight against environmental destruction and in my view “charity begins at home” in Goa!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Prevent accidents – properly and quickly
Apropos to the photo titled ‘HANGING BY A THREAD’ in O Heraldo dated December 1, 2024, immediately without fail arrest and very severely punish the contractor for such a shoddy work, which poses risk to hundreds of people frequenting Miramar beach. In the future, only employ honest and good contractors who will give a written guarantee for their work and use branded products and also attached a plaque giving their full contacts with the day, date and year when the work was finished and in the current case, restore the street light in a good location. In these, ways one can and must prevent accidents, properly and quickly.
Peter Castellino, Mumbai
Don’t tinker with names of Goa’s Vaddos
The villages of Goa comprise vadde or wards which have been given names by our ancestors on geographical, historical and several other grounds. Goans have respected and maintained these names since time immemorial. However, it is seen that some non-Goan businessmen who start business in Goa, tinker with these age old names and even try to change them, which is objectionable and unacceptable.
Recently, a builder of a housing project in Mazal Vaddo, Assagao named a lane of the complex as Montford Vaddo and fixed a big name board by the roadside, reading Montford Vaddo. The builder was forced by the villagers to remove the board. Another builder of a housing complex in Socolvaddo Assagao has fixed a name board with the name of the vaddo written as Bouta Vaddo.
As if this is not bad enough, a big real estate developer who has set up an office in Gonguerem Assagao in a recent advertisement announcing vacancies for jobs has given the office address as Ghateshwar Nagar. There is no such vaddo at all in Assagao.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
