Flaws of Porvorim flyover’s approach road
The much-hyped 5.1-kilometer Porvorim elevated corridor met a tragic nemesis less than 24 hours after its grand inauguration. Opened with fanfare—complete with PR campaigns, walkathons, and supercar rallies featuring ministers and dignitaries—the project collapsed into tragedy when a fatal accident claimed two innocent lives on its very second day of operation. Instead of accepting moral responsibility and stepping down—as standard democratic accountability would demand—the PWD leadership reflexively resorted to blame-shifting. In a bizarre knee-jerk reaction, the department slapped an abrupt ban on two-wheeler riders from using the six-lane flyover, alongside barricading key entry and exit ramps. This response defies basic logic. Police reports and CCTV footage confirm that the fatal crash was triggered by a four-wheeler ramming a two-wheeler from behind at high speed near the exit ramp. Under this administration’s warped logic, if a speeding car hits a vulnerable commuter, it is the two-wheeler rider who gets punished by being banned. Will the PWD minister now ban four-wheelers as well, or are two-wheeler commuters—who make up the vast majority of local Goan taxpayers—treated as second-class road users? Instead of hunting for scapegoats among lower-level staff, an independent tripartite panel comprising independent civil engineers, road safety experts, and public representatives must immediately audit this project.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Space needs peace
The Trump administration’s admission that it has deployed “on-orbit space-control weapons” marks a significant escalation in the militarisation of space. The attempt to weaponise space goes back to the Cold War. The Reagan administration had poured billions of dollars into the ‘Star Wars’ programme in order to stay ahead of the Soviets, yet no actual weapons were deployed. But with the latest admission that America has weapons in the cosmos, other states with similar capabilities could also consider their options. Interestingly, China has accused Washington of preparing for war in outer space and warned against turning space into a battlefield while Russia has called for the demilitarisation of space. Both countries possess or are developing counter-space capabilities, including systems that can threaten satellites. The US should seriously reconsider its deployment of weapons in outer space. If Beijing and Moscow feel an existential threat from American weapons, they too could deploy weapons of their own. Weapons have caused untold destruction on Earth. Therefore, outer space should become a domain of cooperation, not another battlefield.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Tata Group crisis
It is deeply disconcerting to witness the developments unfolding within the Tata Group following the demise of Ratan Naval Tata, a visionary leader whose name became synonymous with integrity, philanthropy and responsible corporate leadership. The recent controversy over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as Chairman of Tata Sons is particularly unfortunate. The Tata Sons board has approved a fresh five-year term for Chandrasekaran by a 4–1 vote, with Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, voting against the proposal. Venu Srinivasan, another Tata Trusts nominee on the board, supported the reappointment. Tata Trusts has subsequently questioned the validity of the decision, arguing that it does not comply with the governance provisions governing Tata Sons. What makes the episode even more perplexing is that Chandrasekaran had earlier indicated that he would not seek another term after his present tenure ends in February 2027. He has now agreed to continue for another five years following the board’s request that he reconsider his decision. This reversal inevitably raises questions about the circumstances that led to the change. One cannot help but wonder what Ratan Tata, who nurtured the Tata Group for decades and inspired millions through his vision and philanthropy, would have felt about these developments.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Waste disposal
In rural communities, household waste is commonly disposed of by dumping solid waste in backyard gardens or vacant open areas. Such careless disposal poses an environmental risk and may endanger human health and safety. Solid waste that is not properly managed can lead to several serious problems. It can provide suitable breeding grounds for disease-causing microorganisms and disease vectors, while also becoming a public nuisance because of its unpleasant appearance and foul odour. It may contaminate nearby soil, groundwater and surface water, and can also create fire risks, physical dangers and toxic effects resulting from pesticides and insecticides. However, these problems can be prevented through suitable waste management practices.
C R Krishnan, Ghaziabad
