PONDA: There is a growing sense of insecurity among residents of Ponda, in the aftermath of a fatal accident in Banastarim. The circumstances surrounding the accident and the subsequent uncertainty about the responsible party have further fueled concerns among the populace. In the wake of these events, community members are rallying behind the idea of installing CCTV surveillance to combat crimes and instill fear among wrongdoers.

Ponda often referred to as the heartland of Goa’s tourism, welcomes a significant influx of tourists and VIPs. This heightened activity places considerable demands on the police force and traffic police, limiting their ability to extend comprehensive security coverage to all corners of the region. In light of these limitations, the local population believes that the installation of CCTV cameras is a practical solution to maintaining vigilance against undesirable activities.

The sentiment within Ponda is that law enforcement agencies cannot be present everywhere to prevent crimes and accidents at all times. Therefore, the demand for CCTV surveillance at strategic locations such as highways, bridges, and key intersections within villages has gained traction. This push for enhanced monitoring extends not only to the town landscape but also to the outskirts and rural areas.

Sandeep Parkar from Khandepar emphasized that rising instances of reckless driving, chain snatching, and other criminal activities necessitate urgent action. He stressed the need for comprehensive CCTV coverage, citing the recent Banastarim accident as an unfortunate example of the lack of evidence due to the absence of cameras. Parkar disclosed that this issue had been discussed in a recent Curti Khandepar Gram sabha.

Echoing the sentiment, Viraj Sapre expressed a decade-long plea for permanent CCTV installations along highways, within villages, and across the city.