A shot in the arm
In a major feat, Dabolim international airport has been ranked second among Airport Authority of India (AAI) Airports and 59th globally in the latest Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards conducted by the Airports Council International. The recognition cements Dabolim airport’s status as a top destination for passenger experience. The ASQ awards are considered the aviation industry’s benchmark for service quality. The awards evaluate airports worldwide based on passenger satisfaction, service efficiency, and overall traveller experience. The recognition comes at a time when discussions about potentially shutting down Dabolim airport in favour of the new Manohar international airport at Mopa had fuelled debates across the state. Aviation experts and local stakeholders had expressed concerns over the implications for connectivity and economic activity if Dabolim airport were to close. With this recognition, speculation about the airport’s closure should be put to rest once and for all.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
LPG muddle
The recent LPG shortage appears to be limited to a few cities, while major metropolitan areas remained largely unaffected. Rumours circulated widely on WhatsApp and similar platforms, triggered unnecessary panic among the public. Long queues formed outside gas agencies even when there was no real shortage, and some individuals took advantage of the situation by selling cylinders at inflated prices in black market. At the same time, large-scale events such as religious gatherings and celebrations continued without disruption, suggesting that supply was not as severely constrained as perceived. Although the situation has now eased, its impact lingers. Many eateries, hotels and restaurants have already increased their prices during the so-called shortage and are unlikely to roll them back. With the government now officially raising LPG cylinder prices, businesses may feel further justified in increasing rates. However, those who had already hiked prices earlier now have an additional excuse to push them even higher. Ultimately, it is the common citizen who bears the burden, often without protest.
Bhalchandra VS Priolkar, Margao
Social cost of Iran war
One of the immediate consequences of the Iran war has been the rise in crude oil prices, which in turn has driven up the cost of essential commodities. The price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 60, while commercial 19 kg cylinders have gone up by Rs 195.50. Although the Goa government has assured that there is adequate stock and smooth supply, the ground reality appears different. Restaurant owners and small traders report difficulties in obtaining cylinders, forcing some to consider scaling down or even temporarily shutting their businesses. This price hike is expected to directly impact the cost of food in hotels and eateries, as businesses pass on the increased expenses to consumers. At the same time, supply constraints continue to create uncertainty, with hoteliers requesting at least two cylinders per week to sustain operations—an assurance that has yet to be clearly provided. The situation is becoming increasingly challenging, and it is ultimately the middle class that bears the brunt, having to stretch their budgets further to meet everyday needs.
Raju Rammurthy, Vasco
Equality before law
The additional sessions court in Mapusa on Wednesday granted conditional bail to the Luthra brothers, who are accused in the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora that claimed 25 lives in December 2025. This order raises serious concerns about the perception of equality before the law. Many citizens feel that individuals with wealth and influence are able to secure legal advantages that are not accessible to ordinary people. Such outcomes risk eroding public confidence in the justice system. It is also troubling that, despite the gravity of the incident, the legal process appears prolonged. The families of the victims deserve timely and meaningful justice, and any delay only deepens their anguish. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. If the system fails to deliver accountability in cases of this magnitude, it inevitably leads to public disillusionment.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Dangerous tourist site
Asia’s largest marble waste dumping place in Kishangarh in Ajmer district of Rajasthan is a tourist site. Daily 22 lakh litres of marble slurry is emptied by 22 tankers at the dumpsite. The 350 acres snow-white ground resembles Bolivia’s Salt Flat, Gulmarg and Switzerland. Daily 5,000 visitors and 20,000 on weekends and holidays visit the place which is also used for pre-wedding and commercial shoots (NT, March 30, 2026). Researchers at the Central University of Rajasthan have highlighted this ‘toxic tourist destination’ as a health and environmental hazard. Concerns have been raised regarding poor air quality, high levels of lead silicate, nitrate and fluoride in soil and groundwater and degraded agricultural land.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
