Prevent micro-plastic pollution in water
It is learnt that people in Goa may be unknowingly ingesting microplastic along with their drinking water, a new study by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Delhi-based advocacy groups Toxic Link has reportedly found. It is understood that the main source of microplastic is the polluted river water.
People have been throwing plastic waste in the water-bodies despite several warnings by the authorities. Microplastic are there in the water due to the contamination, but when water passes through plastic pipes, it adds more micro-plastic. In the past, typically metallic piping made of steel or iron, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, brass, and ductile iron was used. Plastic particles are less than 5mm in size. The pollutants also have an impact on marine life.
Fish ingest these microplastic which ultimately end in the human body when the fish is consumed. Plastic is a synthetic polymer which is not soluble in water. Though research into the effect of microplastic is new, there is enough evidence to prove that microplastic affects the human body. Much of the food comes wrapped in plastic while the water is packed in plastic bottles. This leads to tiny particles breaking into our meals and water. We even breathe in nano particles of plastic.
Microplastic in the blood can cause nervous breakdown, affect the various organs and is even carcinogenic. Various government bodies, the civic bodies in Goa need to work in tandem in order to address waste management and improve the filtration process.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Of Smart(ing) cities and basics
Marred by the delay in allocation of funds and faulty prioritization of projects, the Centre's ambitious Smart City Mission seems to have hit a road block in Goa. Five years after Panjim was put on the fast track to smartness per an infusion of Rs 608 crores, only about Rs 16 crores has been actually spent according to the government's own sources, that too for repair and beautification.
When Panjim was earmarked for the ' smart city' tag it was envisaged that the church square would be pedestrianised, WiFi hotspots would be set up in public areas, CCTV cameras would be installed, the Mala lake would be rejuvenated, smart parking/signaling/metering would be done, well designed shared public cycling systems would be made available, construction of service utility trenches for underground power cabling, optic fibre, water lines, telephone cables etc. None of these objectives have been achieved, all we have to show for the past five years is repairs to some steps in parts of the city and maintenance of lawns.
Smart cities are supposed to be built at a rapid pace leveraging cutting edge technology resulting in productive transformation in the living standards of the citizenry. Even now we see vast areas of the city being flooded during the monsoons, potholed roads, improper garbage disposal, polluted water supply erratic power, parking woes, rising crime etc.
' Smart city' seems to be a moving target. Instead of chasing a mirage the city fathers would be well advised to get the basics ie. 'bijli. sadak, pani ' right, that alone would make a quantum improvement in the quality of life of the populace.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Upsurge in Dengue cases
Dengue cases have been reported in areas of Goa. While Covid cases have been on a steady decline, dengue has now raised concerns in city as some areas have reported cases of the disease.
Dengue is diagnosed primarily on the basis of clinical manifestations such as high fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash and hemorrhagic manifestations and by laboratory diagnosis.
The health department should put in place all measures to contain its spread. The dengue mosquito breeding can be found in flower plots, and in gardens. The government authorities should pay house-to-house visit for cleanliness drive and work on destroying breeding sites.
The corporation/ Municipalities should carryout fumigation drive by using insecticide at all necessary places, especially near the Bhatlem government quarters, where there is a garbage storage sheds and surrounding unclean. The residents need to keep their surroundings clean and not to allow stagnation of water, which leads to breeding of mosquitoes. For the effective control of disease outbreaks, rapid and precise diagnosis of dengue is of paramount importance.
K. G. Vilop, Chorao
Corona-message on dialed mobiles
Presently a quite long corona-message tune is first played before the caller is finally connected to the called person. This causes problems if call is to be made in emergency conditions.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and other concerned authorities should modify this tune for a shorter duration in case tune is still desired to be played.
Madhu Agrawal, Delhi