Time to scrap old vehicles
The long-awaited announcement by government authorities regarding the development of a vehicle scrapping policy is highly welcomed, especially considering the frequent accidents on roads. These incidents are often caused by old, abandoned vehicles left on road sides, coupled with the indiscipline of vehicle owners and the failure of law enforcement authorities to remove these vehicles promptly. There is an urgent need to implement a vehicle scrapping system and establish a foolproof process, where periodic inspections are conducted by the concerned authorities. These inspections should involve physically verifying vehicles, not relying on brokers. It is common to see brokers handling paperwork and illegally issuing permits for vehicles, often with the involvement of RTOs. Even with a foolproof online system for issuing vehicle permits, brokers continue to operate freely, reducing the roles of RTO officers to mere puppets. The failure to enforce rules and regulations regarding vehicle registration and permit issuance is evident. Scrapped vehicles are left standing on roadsides for years, demonstrating the lack of a proper mechanism to remove them, despite multiple complaints to the RTO, Traffic Department, and even the Ministry of Transport. I urge the Goa government to launch a drive against these scrapped vehicles and make Goa the first state in India to strive for an accident-free environment.
Satish Kamat, Margao
A gesture of unity
In an inspiring display of humanity and communal harmony, members of the Muslim community in Prayagraj have stepped forward with their Hindu brethren and people from other communities to assist Hindu devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela. Their selfless service—offering food, shelter, and medical aid to stranded pilgrims—demonstrate the power of unity and compassion over division, hatred and discrimination. When tragedy struck in the form of a stampede at Mahakumb mela, these very individuals—who had been pushed to the sidelines stepped forward with other communities to help. They opened their homes, mosques, and community spaces to provide shelter and aid to stranded devotees. They distributed food, water, clothing, and medical supplies, putting humanity above religious and social divisions. Social media has been flooded with videos and images capturing the heartwarming scenes of Muslim volunteers assisting Hindu pilgrims. They helped elderly devotees find safety, and ensured that the injured received medical care. Their actions directly rebut the divisive rhetoric of those who seek to sow discord between communities.
Samir Khan, Mapusa
Goa’s leaky pipelines
In Goa residents may face water shortage or there could be restricted water supply through the taps, however, ironically thousands of liters of water is lost due to bursting of pipelines. On Sunday, the residents of Bhatlem and surrounding areas reportedly scrambled to save their belongings after a 600 MLD pipeline supplying water to Taleigao and Dona Paula burst sending thousands of litres of water gushing thereby flooding homes destroying home appliances and other household articles. Be that as it may, disruption in water supply due to bursting of pipelines has been occurring in the state at a disturbing frequency. It may be recalled that in April 2024 Smart City works damaged an underground water pipeline at Miramar. In March 2023 a key PWD pipeline supplying drinking water from the Assonora treatment plant to parts of Bardez burst at Tivim. The breakage also caused the road over the pipeline to cave in. Incessant digging has led to bursting of underground water pipelines at various places in the state, leading to loss of thousands of litres of potable water. It is learnt that 32% potable water is lost due to pipeline leakage in South Goa.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Closure of Keri SEZ issue
Last week, and after 18 years, the State cabinet agreed to take back 123 hectares (12 lakh sqm) of land which had been allotted to Meditab Specialist Ltd for establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Keri in Ponda Taluka. Since the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) had financial crunch and could not buy back the land, the government stepped in and decided to pay Rs 33 crore to the company for the land. In 2006, as a part of the Goa’s SEZ policy, land was allotted to seven promoters, and one was Meditab. In December 2007 a white paper was issued by the government because the public had objected to the SEZ. The report listed the concerns such as limited benefits of the SEZs, impact on water and electricity etc. In 2008, the SEZ policy was withdrawn.
Sridhar Iyer, Caranzalem
