Looking forward

EDITORIAL

In the New Year, Goa needs to take a hard look at the transformation it is witnessing

The state government will be able to list many achievements of 2025. However, in reality, these positives risk being overshadowed by the major tragedy that occurred in Goa. Last year will be remembered for the tragedy that claimed 25 lives – the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub inferno at Arpora in early December. It gave Goa tourism a bad name, especially since nightlife is considered a major draw for the state. With this, that six pilgrims died and several others were injured in a stampede at the Shirgao zatra in May, is almost forgotten.

Analysts described the Birch tragedy as man-made, as activists, concerned citizens and the media had long been raising issues of illegalities in the tourism belt. Specific to the Birch nightclub, complaints had been submitted to the authorities, with copies marked to those holding top positions in the government. Yet, no action was taken. The result, as they say, was inevitable. Once such devastation strikes, the government, compelled to wake up, sets up inquiry panels and seeks to convey that tough decisions are being taken. The silver lining is that SOPs are now likely to be framed for granting licences to nightclubs and other tourism-related establishments. Following a report in The Navhind Times, nightclubs will, for the first time, be classified separately for trade licences and other administrative purposes.

There is no doubt that the Goa government has taken several decisions in 2025. A third district – Kushavati, named after the lifeline of the region – has been created with the aim of improving governance. If it benefits the people of the four talukas – Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona – it will be remembered as a significant achievement of this government. Another major initiative is the Mhaje Ghar scheme.

Overall, Goa’s image appears to be changing rapidly. New settlers – well-educated and creative people – have arrived in large numbers. This can be good for the state, provided development remains sustainable. They can become brand ambassadors for Goa. Denials notwithstanding, some of them are sensing that something is amiss: it is not the same Goa they – and Goans – had visualised. What is it? The government needs to identify what is affecting daily life as well as tourism. Is it road conditions, reckless driving, mass tourism, destruction of greenery, landfilling, lopsided development, encouragement of illegalities, corruption, poor garbage management or all of these?

Land resources are limited, yet the government continues to disregard the Regional Plan, resulting in haphazard development, including construction on slopes and hills. Citizens have grown accustomed to rhetoric, sloganeering and the raking up of the past, often to appease ideology-driven sections. But what is the government doing to restore the camaraderie of earlier times, when communal harmony prevailed and feelings of hate towards “the others” were absent? We tom-tom iconic bridges, and while that sounds impressive, what about rebuilding the bridges between people that once existed? Increasingly, governance seems driven by vote-bank politics aimed at winning elections.

And what about unemployment? While the government cannot be expected to generate large numbers of jobs within the administration, sustained efforts are needed to attract industrial units that can provide employment to local youth, many of whom are currently working outside the state.

This year calls for chintan baithaks to analyse the transformation Goa is undergoing and the issues that accompany it. The sooner this happens, the better. Concrete steps must follow. Simply declaring that Goa will achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Goem’ by 2037 will not suffice.