Research on ferry hike was needed
It doesn’t speak highly of both the government’s decision-making process and the attitude of the citizenry that the hike in ferry boat hikes is to be withdrawn, “owing to political pressure”. With road tolls and electric buses, commuters are aware that a better service requires that it be funded well. That’s what a hike can do.
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The ferry boats require regular maintenance too and the hiked charges were quite reasonable. Goa’s bus fares are among the highest in India, and no one has complained. The river transport is reliable and safe, and with a hike, could be improved too. Unfortunately, the government did not do its research well as regards the hike, and the citizenry want things gratis. It appears that no consultation was done with the stakeholders concerned. The government could have considered student concessions as well as rebates for those in lower income brackets. Citizens are ready to pay for services but this must be done as transparently as possible.
Brian de Souza, Margao
Goa is expensive, but a beautiful place
Goa is quite an expensive place and the cost of living is high, as compared to most States in India, for residents, visitors and tourists alike. This is because Goa depends mostly on Maharashtra and Karnataka and on other States for a bulk of milk and milk products, vegetables, rice, wheat, cereals, pulses, fruits, flowers etc. as these are either in short-supply or not produced/grown in Goa. We depend on the neighbouring States for electricity.
The service providers (carpenters, plumbers etc.) charge exorbitantly for small jobs. They believe that everyone here is a Gulf returnee returned or an NRI or own acres of land and large ancestral homes. Besides spending on the above essentials, one must pay for parking, entrance tickets at tourist spots such as at Reis Magos, Aguada Jail Museum, Dona Paula jetty etc and a whooping Rs 350 (below 12 years) to Rs 500 (above 12 years) to visit the Raj Bhavan! Import of food stuff cannot be halted though efforts are locally made to produce them. But given the constraints, it is not a simple task to meet the people’s demand. At some places either the entrance fees are less or nil for residents, yet the Goa government could reduce the charges at the touristy places to get more footfalls. All said and done, Goa is Goa for various other reasons!
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Respect rules in letter and spirit
There are basic traffic rules and regulations which one has to follow when he/she is riding/driving on any roads. There are certain individuals who take these traffic rules/regulations for granted, thus leading to fatal accidents. Sadly, due to one person’s fault, life of another is put at risk. Evidently, the recent death of Delhi woman on the Zuari road is just another tragic fatal accident, in addition to the previous ones.
However, the academic nature is adamant in human beings, and we always tend to push the blame on others, like blaming the bad condition of the roads, non-maintenance, digging up of the roads, etc. In all these instances, we fail to understand that we too are responsible, and are we following the basic traffic rules rigidly? Just a closer look into our inner self, and also maintaining proper discipline on the roads can avoid jeopardizing the lives of others.
Moreover, Goan roads have also turned out to be like a drama stage set wherein you’l perceive different kinds of characters performing their obnoxious roles. Enthusiastically, on one side we have the teenagers who are portraying their stunt skills, obviously to impress someone, then we have the adults with their cell phones, and not to forget the worst, drunken driving, to allure to their addiction buds.
It’s learnt that the traffic cell has recommended cancellation of 15 k of licences, and it’s a welcoming move indeed. Simple rule:- If they are not following the basic traffic rules and creating havoc into the lives of the people, then better to keep them away from roads. Shocking as it sounds that 1400 were booked for drunken driving. Just imagine that their irresponsible behaviour can cause vicious harm to the fabric of the society.
Kudos! To the traffic cell for taking this significant move of recommending cancellation of licences.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Stop parking vehicles on roads
In a tragic accident, a woman from Delhi riding pillion was killed while her husband sustained injuries at Sancoale on Wednesday. It is learnt that the couple were riding a rent-a-bike when the two-wheeler collided against a parked car whose front tyre had punctured. The woman was flung in the air and came under the wheels of another car moving in the same direction. Under ordinary circumstances, allowing a car to stand along the highway is not in itself negligence, if the stop is temporary and for a legitimate or necessary purpose. But these parked vehicles should not obstruct the smooth flow of traffic. Motorists have the right to assume that the road ahead is clear and safe for travel. In any of these situations, the driver can pull onto the road shoulder. Vehicles parked on highways and roadsides put the lives of people and motorists at risk especially when the highways and roads are not well lit or when vehicles are parked at a blind turn. Such vehicles may not have any warning sign or reflective triangles placed behind them which makes them highly dangerous. At times one sees branches and twigs being put up on such vehicles as a warning which may not be sufficient. It would be in the fitness of things to tow/push the vehicle to the road shoulder without wasting much time.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Goan politicians must emulate Antonio Costa
Goans are spread all over the world and they have won recognition for their hard work, honesty and sincerity. That is how Senhor Antonio Costa won recognition in Portugal where he even became Prime Minister. We Goans must be proud of him.
Now he has resigned as Prime Minister of Portugal as a matter of high principle of sincerity. Only because the opposition accused his close aide involved in the corruption in relation to mining concession, he has resigned to keep up the respect of that high office.
Our Goan leaders should follow his steps but this may not be possible because the culture of our politics is vastly different. Here MLAs Ministers with criminals continue in the government. I hope now atleast try to reform themselves and give up the ministries they hold.
Antonio F Fernandes, Arossim
