The elected representatives should join hands to work for betterment of our state. Many promises have been made by the various parties and candidates that have contested the polls in February. This has been a real long wait for all the contestants, volunteers and supporters of the respective parties and independent candidates. More than the doles promised, we need the elected representatives to work with a long term vision. Pollution, infrastructure, job creation, corruption are some of the areas of major concern that need to be focused upon.
Two major tasks in South Goa await the new Government. A war footing approach is needed to rectify and protect our fragile environment and save it for posterity. Time and again these issues have found their way into public space but nothing seems to have materialised in setting it right.
River Sal opens up at Margao and passes through the villages of Benaulim, Navelim, Varca, Orlim, Carmona, Dramapur, Chinchinim, Assolna, Cavelossim, Mobor before meeting the Arabian Sea in Betul. The river today stands polluted by the sewage from residential and industrial areas. The colour of the water has turned black and is detrimental to many of the aquatic species that thrive in this river. Many of us belonging to this belt have had our first swimming lessons in this river. Today one can’t enjoy watching it, forget simply wading through it. River Sal is waiting for salvation. Can timely action be taken to save it?
The stench tale of Sonsoddo continues to plague the residents in the vicinity for over four decades. Apart from the unbearable stench, the ever growing mountain of garbage leaches harmful chemicals into the ground thus polluting the ground water. The stench that originates at the dump travels over a kilometre radius thus affecting everyone in its vicinity. Spare a thought for the staff and students — a major school lies within the scope of this stench. What has been stopping the successive Governments to effectively control this garbage menace? Inefficiency at its best!
A well thought out scientific plan of action and timely execution is needed to tackle this mess and improve the quality of life of people living in the area. With advancements in technology it should be more than manageable. But do the authorities have the will to deliver? The buck does not end only with the administration. Let us (the common man) too be part of this cleaning mission. Let us make the job easier by segregating waste at source-homes, workplaces, schools hospitals, etc.
