CIVIC FORUM
Unattended cable chamber
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
A Chamber containing different type of cabling is lying unattended for the last 15 days. The photograph above also shows the existence of a police barricade all around this chamber and in the middle of the road, posing a danger to heavy traffic, as half of the road is almost blocked. Can the Government authority find out why this job is kept pending for the last 15 days, that too where the Mayor of Panjim resides nearby?
Parking for three wheelers
Pravin U Sardessai, Ponda
Ponda has several traffic signboards marked as ‘Parking for Two-wheelers’ and ‘Parking for Four-wheelers’ at different spots. The above photograph shows a three-wheeler goods carrier rickshaw, comfortably parked at the parking space notified for four-wheelers.
The Traffic Cell should clarify whether three-wheelers can be parked in areas reserved for four-wheelers. In case this is not permitted, the department should reserve a parking space for three-wheelers as well.
This matter needs to be considered on priority in the interest and welfare of three-wheeler vehicles, which constitute a sizeable number in different locations.
Improve traffic scene at Porvorim
Amit Majumdar, Porvorim
The once beautiful Bougainvillea garden near the O’Coqueiro circle and adjacent to the CHOGM road is fast disappearing, as it has made way for business activities like a steel and building materials stockyard and parking of vehicles.
Though a signpost has been installed in front of the Mutt (opposite the water tank) reading ‘No parking within 100 metres’, several cars, LCVs, tempos, vans, etc, are parked within 5 metres of this signpost. The constant movementof water tankers (from the PWD overhead tank) adds to the woes. It is a nightmare travelling through this stretch, especially during office hours, as there are no side walks for pedestrians.
Stray dog menace
John Alvares, Bogmalo
The famous tourist destination, Bogmalo beach, is nowadays frequented by unwanted stray dogs, posing a risk for the safe movement of locals and tourists alike. Otherwise, this beach is quiet and serene, mostly preferred by lovers.
If the stray dog menace is not cleared before the tourist season, they may attack tourists visiting the beach, and there is every possibility of dog bites that may turn into rabies.
Ration card anxiety
Edwin Braganza, Canacona
In spite of being born and brought up in Goa for 37 years, I have still not received my BPL ration card, and I am surprised to see even outsiders possessing them. I had applied for BPL ration card four years back and even after informing the Civil Supplies Minister about this, there is no response.
With the recent price hikes of essential commodities, being a daily wage worker, I find it very difficult to purchase the basic requisites for my family. I request the concerned authorities to immediately look into this matter.
Fare hike discrepancies
Maria Lata Pereira, Tivim
The hike in diesel and petrol prices has made a huge hole in the pockets of the working class. Bus owners have a stranglehold on commuters, a situation akin to forcing them to pay the fare at knifepoint or gunpoint. If the demand for a fare hike is not met, they threaten to go on strike. Commuters have to pay the fare asked, or miss work, school or college. Isn’t this a type of legalised daylight robbery?
Each time there is a hike in fares, the private bus owners make merry. Their demands are always met. But what about the demands of the hapless regular commuters silently suffering discrepancies in fares of the privately owned buses? Ticket collectors charge some people the old fare, while others are charged the revised fare. They easily get away with this, as they do not issue tickets. When tickets are demanded they are rude and, at times, threaten us physically. Why are the private bus owners not dealt with strictly? Is it right for the so-called government of the ‘aam admi’ to torture the ‘aam admi’?
Do you have a complaint against some authority or service? Are there any violations of the law that you would like to bring to the notice of the public? Do you have any suggestions for improvement and/or redressal of services?
If you do, then write to us at editor@herald-goa.com. With the aim of improving the quality of our civic life, every Monday Herald will publish the best letters on these subjects received during the week. This is in addition to our regular ‘Letters to the Editor’ column.
