Sub-standard road network
I couldn’t but fully agree with the writeup, “Roller coaster ride on Highways’ by Mr. Swaminathan in the Herald of February 14. The type of construction of the new highways proves that quality and durability is sacrificed and a quick completion is given to the new highways laid. A few years back at a cost of more than Rs 80 crore, a good existing road leading from Miramar to Dona Paula was reconstructed; the finish of the road was bumpy and sub standard and various people had voiced their opinion on this shoddy road. Cracks and potholes had developed within a short time which had to be repaired to prevent further degradation.
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One needs to just cross the border on the south and proceed towards Karwar and see the difference in the quality of the roads in the two states. Every new road that is laid in Goa is improperly finished. One cannot miss the feel of being tossed up and down on the entire stretch of road right from the Zuari bridge to Panjim and further. Since very sophisticated machinery was being used for the construction of the roads how could they have not levelled the road surface? Unlike asphalt which can be repaved, we will have to live with these shoddy, uneven concrete roads for a long time to come. Perhaps, the contracts were handed over to entities with political connections, hence, taking them to task is contentious. Why are Goans always taken for granted and have to live with sub-standard stuff? Other than travel time being reduced and safer travel, the finish of the road network leaves lot to be desired.
The highways, though supposed to be 3 lanes either side, many a times narrow down to 2 lanes and this can result in a clash of vehicles going in speed, more so when it happens on elevated stretches of the road. Signboards need to be prominently installed to caution the motorists of such change in the carriageway width. Besides, there are lots of cracks developed on the roads even before they have seen a monsoon. There is also lots of garbage and filth accumulating on the sides of the roads, which is apparently never cleaned, for which machines need to be employed to clean up the roads during non-peak hours. It should be borne in mind by the authorities concerned that regular maintenance, cleanliness, beautification and aesthetics need to be observed.
Alwyn M D’Sa, Miramar
Of ants and traffic management
It is an inspiring lesson for humans of how ants strictly move in groups as a trail, showing the altruistic behaviour that an ant sacrifices its own well-being for the benefit of other ants. Ants are among the few species that engage in two-way traffic. While it is a challenge for humans to maintain a smooth and efficient traffic flow, avoiding fender-benders, ants seem to have mastered the art of traffic management. Emmets can move back-and-forth quite efficiently between their nests and food without trying to overtake or pass each other, thereby forming a steady stream of traffic, even when their numbers increase on a path. Ants don’t have road rules like humans do, and they are not exactly afraid of collisions, yet their ability to avoid bunching up by moving as a single unit has fascinated us for centuries. With self-driving cars having hit the roads, perhaps we can figure out a way to emulate ants’ strategies and optimise traffic flow. If we can make our roads more like ant trails, imagine how much more efficient the world will be. Clearly, there is a moral from ants for us on how we can conduct ourselves as we move in queues or when driving on roads.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Politicians undermine people, need power
Criminalisation of politics is an anathema to the sacredness of democracy. Democracy, which has been best defined as the Government of the People, by the People and for the People, expects prevalence of genuine orderliness, positive propriety, dedicated discipline and sanguine sanctity by constant affirmance of constitutional morality which is the pillar stone of good governance. It is quite common for people to elect corrupt and seemingly honest but dishonest people to offices of power. People are also equally responsible for the problems affecting their country. The accountability punctures the facade that government builds to fool people.
The people come first. Politicians in India have gradually forgotten this, at first disguising their priorities with pretty speeches about people’s choice and more, treating politics like a game of their own, in which the people are used for votes or, with promises or projections of group identity, as vote banks.
Voters become Gods and Goddesses for the candidates ahead of elections. But as soon as they rise to power they forget their voters, their issues, troubles of their area etc. Poaching MLAs, buying them with suitcases full of cash, hoarding MLAs in resorts is common practice in Indian politics.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Violation of ambient air quality standards
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 makes provision for specifying ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones, categorization of the areas for the purpose of implementation of noise standards, authorizing the authorities for enforcement and achievement of laid down standards. The Goa State Governments has taken steps for laying down such standards and notifying the authorities where it has not already been done. The issue before the citizens /residents of the North Goa Coastal villages is in the manner the ambient air quality standards are violated with impunity even during the day time. That there needs to be some set standard procedure in place in order to take action in such cases violating the ambient quality standards be it instrumental noise, generator noise , bursting of fire crackers noise, motor vehicle noise or any other noise source during night time. If one violates the Ambient Air Quality Standards during the day time and/or night time it becomes a criminal offence and can be dealt with by the “Authority”. The issue is the violation of the Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board for the entire country and the State of Goa is not exceptional to the rule of law.
Antonio D’Souza, by email
Retirement planning is most ignored goal
We Indians are living longer. At the same time, unlike our previous generations, young adults are veering towards private sector jobs or in fact starting their own business and hence, no one but you need to provide for your sunset years which is only going to be longer given the increase in life expectancy. It is not worthwhile to put all the eggs in one basket. But this is not always applicable to retired bank employees, who get a higher percentage of interest and adding to that 1% extra for senior citizens all become a value added in one’s lifetime savings. Consistency is important when you’re working toward a prosperous retirement. Whatever the amount you choose to save is, make sure to save it from each and every paycheck, before you spend anything or even pay bills. There are benefits to this, including the opportunity you enjoy to watch your savings grow. It also puts you in a mindset that saving for the future is important.
C K Ramanathan, Ghaziabad
