The annual event of IFFI is just complete and people from Goa, delegates and tourists appear to have had a lovely time. Panjim city was adorned like a queen on the outskirts. However, the city and suburbs were like a beautifully coloured egg from the exterior but rotten to the core inside. It was just an external show for the visitors and the Ponjekars were ignored by the officials.
There have been so many appeals from concerned citizens through the print media to better manage the garbage that is generated in and around the city and outskirts. One wonders why the city administrators are reluctant to provide dust bins at regular intervals so that people can dispose off the garbage which they would anyway scatter on the road sides.
The interior roads, specially those leading to Taleigaon via Bhatlem and road to Dona Paula from Tonca are in a terrible state. Hopefully, only people’s power like the one day protest by residents of Taleigaon will eject the concerned PWD officials from their lethargy and indifference.
The creek flowing through Panjim needs attention urgently. There have been plans to clean up the creek for years but nothing is being done to eradicate the source of pollution. Clearly there is a lack of will to rid the polluted water body of all its effluents. The previous MLA of Panjim just warmed up his seat for 2 ½ years doing nothing whatsoever for Panjim and we sincerely hope the people of Panjim elect the right leader with a vision, goal, resources, power and dedication so that Panjim will regain its old glory.
Alwyn M. D’Sa, Miramar
