Allowing persons from a COVID hotspot like New Delhi defeats the purpose for which we stood for the last 1 and half month. We are a green zone with the efforts of the State mechanism
— Police official
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Goa needs to remain a green zone and the arrival of trains from hotspots puts the State at a big risk of contraction and infection again
— Railway official
Trains should be allowed into Goa only to bring back Goan students or tourists who are stranded in the country. To allow these trains into Goa, a green zone from COVID-19 hotspots is a foolish decision
— Simran Prabhu Malkarnekar, youth
CM should please stop all the incoming trains till May 30. Lockdown and internal movement of people may be allowed. If allowed we will lose everything that we gained.
— Bhasker Rivanker, Margao
The resumption of train services is at an inopportune time and could negate the gains made by Goa from the lockdown. There is bound to be a surge of people travelling by the special trains from hotspot Delhi to green zone Goa. The decision ought to have been left to the States
— Savio Correia, activist
As per the SOP , the people who will be handling its implementation need to be very strict. We have seen in the past people doing mockery by not taking thermal reading properly and such things need to be avoided. If such irresponsible behaviour is seen now, then we are inviting trouble
— Vishant Shetye, Vasco
At some point we need to start all services such as trains, planes etc. We need to open up gradually. We cannot remain closed for longer as it will adversely affect our economy. Although Railways has to ensure all precautionary measures are taken. I am in favour of the trains coming but the govt should also ensure all guidelines are followed
— Savio Messias, tourism stakeholder
We are worried about the movement of passenger trains from other States to Goa as this is a risk to all of us as COVID-19 can spread. Goa is lucky to be in the green zone now but soon can come under the red zone if such steps are taken and this will affect our livelihoods as there will be restrictions again.
— Uday Naik, Ponda
The govt should not put Goa at risk by bringing people from train in such a manner, at this stage. Soon it will be the monsoon and many medical experts have already warned that more care needs to be taken during the rains and the govt should be focusing on that instead. They should review its decision.
— Viraj Sapre, Ponda
I am surprised! We are in green zone but it doesn’t mean that we are safe. By starting trains or by opening up our borders, we are inviting the disaster and which will not be controllable at all. Till now, Goans and the authorities have done a commendable job. Please do not open our doors for a monster of a disaster. We need Goa to stay in the green zone
— Avelino Barretto,Canacona
I think it’s a terrible idea. Public transport should be available but only for travel that is absolutely necessary. Allowing people to travel freely from Red zones to Green is defeating the purpose of zoning. Red zones are supposed to be high risk and containment zones, so people should be allowed to leave only in exceptional circumstances.
— Amita Kanekar, novelist
The govt was left with no choice seeing the plight of the migrants. From the economic revival point of view railways plays a big role. However the spike in the COVID 19 cases in Indian can further show an upward trend for which the government requires to be extremely careful.
The starting of passenger trains can result in the change in the status of green zone in Goa
— Martin Barbosa, teacher
Each individual now knows what he or she has to do with regard to COVID-19. But considering that the surrounding States are having spike in cases it may not be advisable to have intra-state travel by train or buses. There is also a chance of the virus peaking during July, August and so Goa can lose its green zone status readily.
— Fr. Frank Mendes, retired principal
The govt’s decision to start train service is fine but given that Goa is under green zone at present, the State is not fully prepared to take any risk. The train service should be used only to take the stranded people out of Goa but when any train enters Goa, it should be empty. People from red zones should not be bought into Goa
— Amarnath Panjikar, teacher
The decision to start the train service is not right as there are high chances of an infected person can travel down into Goa. Goa has been declared as a green zone but even a single infected person can turn it into a red zone and I feel government should not risks the live of the people at the moment.
— Nitn Narvekar, youth
I think it will affect the green zone to some extent. We can see in Goa that minor responsibility of social distancing, wearing mask etc has been overlooked by the people. It becomes difficult to identify carriers. It depends on the authorities to provide rightful measures in combating the spread. How capable our authorities are, we will have to wait and watch. I feel govt should not risk the lives of the people at the moment.
— Emily Lobo, local
The current pandemic is an absolutely serious matter. It is affecting all people all over the world you know it. PM has already told us what to do. How can anybody say 1 thing and do something else in the same breath. This is a time for serious governance and prudent management of our resources. Why do you want to invite disaster, if you do not have the resources?
— Auspicio Rodrigues, local
