South Goa News

Jaishankar holds talks with SCO Secy-Gen: 'Appreciate his support for India’s Presidency'
The Indian Express | 1 month ago | |
The Indian Express
1 month ago | |

A day ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Goa, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and is set to hold bilateral meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.Sharing a photo of his interaction with Ming, Jaishankar wrote on Twitter: “Started my meetings at SCO CFM (Council of Foreign Ministers) with a productive interaction with Secretary General Zhang Ming. Appreciate his support for India’s SCO Presidency. Indian presidency is driven by a commitment to SECURE SCO. Its key focus areas are startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, buddhist heritage and science & technology. Looking forward to a successful CFM in Goa.”Later in the day, Jaishankar will host a dinner for all the visiting ministers.The minister reached Goa Wednesday to take stock of the arrangements at the venue for the SCO meet – a luxury hotel in South Goa. Although there was no official word yet on the possible bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO meet, sources said meetings with some of the dignitaries are likely as is the convention.However, they indicated that there was no plan yet for the much-anticipated bilateral with Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is expected to reach Goa Thursday evening.Zardari will be the first Pakistan Foreign Minister to visit India since December 2016, when Sartaj Aziz came to Amritsar for the Heart of Asia summit.India and Pakistan are members of the SCO, which also includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Delhi wants to focus on the SCO grouping, which is going to take place in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war and concerns over China’s expansionist behaviour.The situation in Afghanistan, terrorism and the regional security situation are some of the issues expected to come up for discussions. Ways to expand overall cooperation including in areas of trade, investment and connectivity will also be on the agenda.

Jaishankar holds talks with SCO Secy-Gen: 'Appreciate his support for India’s Presidency'
Margao: Health officer flags water seepage at Comba subway
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

MARGAO: Health officer of urban health centre, Margao, has red-flagged a potential health hazard in the seepage of water through the subway at Comba, Margao.In a letter addressed to the deputy collector (DRO), South Goa, the health officer said that a site inspection of the Comba subway has revealed that the stagnation of water is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. “Water constantly seeps/leaks into the subway from both sides of the road and gets stagnated on the stretch ,” the letter read. Stating further that the source of seepage couldn’t be identified, the health officer requested the deputy collector to depute an expert technical team to troubleshoot the problem. Executive engineer, PWD (sewerage), Joaquim Fernandes, said that they have succeeded in tracing the source of the leakage to subsoil water drainage and that it has now been plugged. “There was a subsoil leakage in the subway (probably on account of the spring water finding its way through the subway). Last week we noticed traces of sewage seeping through the subway. The leakage has now been plugged. What remains now is the dried up stagnated water,” Fernandes told TOI.The waterlogged subway has turned out to be a nuisance for the road users, including the pedestrians, for the last several weeks, owing to the consistent flow of water emanating a foul smell. While water logging during monsoons was understandable, what caused to raise eyebrows among the public was the stagnation of water even during the dry season. What’s worse was that the problem lay unidentified for long .Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had inspected the subway last month and issued directions to the PWD to locate the source of seepage and plug it on an urgent basis.

Margao: Health officer flags water seepage at Comba subway
Drunken driving, indiscipline behind spike in accidents: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

PANAJI: CM Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that drunken driving and indiscipline on roads are some of the reasons for the increase in accidents. He added that the Goa police traffic cell, transport department and PWD are holding meetings and will chalk out a plan to reduce accidents.Sawant pointed out that the vehicle population has increased compared to the state population. "There are three reasons for the increase in accidents. These include people not following rules, drunken driving, rash and negligence driving among others," he said. The chief minister added that people should cooperate with the authorities, and this will help reduce the frequency of road accidents.In 2020, the vehicle population was 14.5 lakh vehicles, in 2021, it was 14.9 lakh and in 2022 it climbed to 15.4 lakh, but the infrastructure more or less stayed the same. Police said that looking at 2020-21 and 2021-2022, there has been a 3% increase in vehicle population, but the infrastructure hasn't changed much.It has been found that two-thirds of the people who died in road accidents in 2022 were linked to two-wheelers. The state witnessed an almost 9% rise in road accidents during the year.In 2022, 3,011 road accidents were reported, of which 253 were fatal, wherein 271 succumbed to injuries. A total number of 181 persons on two-wheelers died in accidents while 51 pedestrians lost their lives.In 2021, 2,849 accidents were reported, of which 218 were fatal. Almost 226 people lost their lives. A total number of 152 persons on two-wheelers died while 36 pedestrians were killed.The highest number of accidents in North Goa was reported in the jurisdiction of Panaji, Mapusa and Porvorim police stations areas. In South Goa, the highest number of accidents were reported in Ponda, Verna and Vasco police station areas.State witnessed 9% rise in road accidents in 2022In 2020, the vehicle population was 14.5 lakh vehicles, in 2021, it was 14.9 lakh and in 2022 it climbed to 15.4 lakh, but the infrastructure more or less stayed the same. Police said that looking at 2020-21 and 2021-2022, there has been a 3% increase in vehicle population, but the infrastructure hasn't changed much.It has been found that two-thirds of the people who died in road accidents in 2022 were linked to two-wheelers. The state witnessed an almost 9% rise in road accidents during the year.In 2022, 3,011 road accidents were reported, of which 253 were fatal, wherein 271 succumbed to injuries. A total number of 181 persons on two-wheelers died in accidents while 51 pedestrians lost their lives.In 2021, 2,849 accidents were reported, of which 218 were fatal. Almost 226 people lost their lives. A total number of 152 persons on two-wheelers died while 36 pedestrians were killed.The highest number of accidents in North Goa was reported in the jurisdiction of Panaji, Mapusa and Porvorim police stations areas. In South Goa, the highest number of accidents were reported in Ponda, Verna and Vasco police station areas.

Drunken driving, indiscipline behind spike in accidents: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Bengaluru swimmers dominate 11th Goa Swimathon 2023
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

Bengaluru based swimmers completely dominated the just concluded, 11th Goa Swimathon organised by Enduro Sports and powered by miniOrange held at the Betalbatim beach in South Goa.Bengaluru bagged 50 podium positions ( gold, silver and bronze) followed by Mumbai who bagged 22 podiums and hosts Goa finished third with 15 podium positions. A total of 700 swimmers took part in the event from across India.Sagar Badve (32), hearing and visually impaired swimmer from Aurangabad in Maharashtra won the longest, 11 km race clocking 3:38:03 hours. Sagar, who has represented India in the Special Olympics, has also successfully swum the Strait of Gibralter in 2010. He was felicitated by the President of India on World Disabled Persons’ Day on December 3, 2022.Over 50 physically challenged and disabled swimmers took part in the event this year, in which Aahil Sheikh, 13-year-old hearing impaired school boy from Bicholim, Goa covered himself with glory winning both the 250 metres and one km races in the sub-junior category.The event also saw, Sheron Figarado, professor at IIT-Goa and a physically challenged swimmer come third in the 250 metres race in the seniors category.Other highlights include the participation of Bengaluru podium winners, Gopal Rao (77) and Lalitha Vijayaraghavan (72) the oldest swimmers at the event, Mumbai wife-husband team of Valerie and Zarir Baliwalla, who both won their respective races, Former India international Nisha Millet of Bengaluru winning her 5.5 km race in 01:41:55 hrs and Nicole Pavri of Goa, who won her one km race, coming back after a serious, cervical spine fracture last year.

Bengaluru swimmers dominate 11th Goa Swimathon 2023
11 yrs later, SC dismisses appeals of two accused in kidnapping case
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

Margao: Nearly 11 years after the crime, the Supreme Court has dismissed appeals of the two accused sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping an 11-year-old child from Fatorda for a Rs 20-lakh ransom.On September 19, 2011, the South Goa police rescued the minor boy after intercepting the vehicle in which he was being held hostage at Curti, Ponda.Rupesh alias Uday Falkar from Margao and Duliano alias Vital Fernandes were arrested, and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by the sessions court. The conviction was upheld by the high court. After hearing the arguments filed by the applicants against their conviction under Section 364 A (kidnapping for ransom) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the court in its judgement expressed its inability to bring the case under Section 363 (kidnapping from lawful guardianship) of the IPC as contended in the appeal. While an offence under Section 364 A attracts death punishment or life imprisonment, that under Section 363 is punishable with imprisonment for up to seven years. Both the accused were employed as drivers by the child’s father.“On the conspectus of the testimony analysed, we are really not able to bring the case under Section 363 of IPC, though we may have some consideration for the age of the appellants and this being a sole incident, it is not really within the domain of this court to go contrary to the legislative domain which prescribes the punishment for such an offence, and we do take note of the fact that the accused being a driver, man of trust for the family, used to be so utilised, breached the trust while kidnapping a child of 11 years of age with special needs,” the court said in its judgement by justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay Oka. The boy was kidnapped by the accused while he was returning home from school, and hours later, his businessman father received a call demanding a ransom of Rs 20 lakh for the safe release of the child. Acting swiftly on the father’s complaint, the South Goa police constituted four special teams in plainclothes and proceeded in private cars carrying along with them the ransom amount to track down the kidnappers. The idea was to secure the safe release of the child after paying the ransom.However, the kidnappers kept calling the father frequently, changing the location where they could be contacted to pay the ransom. However, a police team led by then Margao PI Santosh Dessai intercepted the car near Curti. The police had to fire seven rounds to stop the car and overpower the kidnappers. The boy was rescued without being hurt.While granting the accused four weeks’ time to surrender, the court said that they can seek remission on completion of the minimum sentence as per norms.

11 yrs later, SC dismisses appeals of two accused in kidnapping case
Panel visits school to probe child’s death in hot water tub
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

MARGAO: The child welfare committee, North Goa, on Wednesday visited St Francis Xavier Academy for special children and conducted a detailed inquiry into the death of a seven-year-old child on Monday, caused by falling into a hot water tub. “Whenever such cases occur, it is mandatory under the Juvenile Justice Act to conduct an in-depth inquiry, check facilities and take statements of all concerned,” the chairperson of the child welfare committee, North Goa, told TOI. “We conducted the inquiry and will submit our detailed report to the directorate of women and child development and the district collector.” The inquiry report is likely to be submitted on Thursday. Thereafter, the directorate of women and child development will take a call on the action to be taken. The directorate has also called for an incident report from police. To ensure the safety and well-being of inmates, regular inspections of the 56 childcare institutions of Goa are conducted by the two district inspection committees headed by the collectors of North and South Goa, director of women and child development Deepali Naik said. The committee members interact with children and staff, check children’s academic progress, ensure that documentation is in place, and follow up on the renewal of licences which is done every five years. Instructions are accordingly given to institutions to improve facilities for children. “The focus is on the safety and well-being of children,” Naik said. “The committee checks how an institution is run and whether all the necessary facilities and services are provided to children including counselling.” Naik added, “The committee also checks the individual plan prepared for each child and assesses the cleanliness of institutions.”

Panel visits school to probe child’s death in hot water tub
GFDC coaches workshop concludes
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) has successfully conducted two coaches workshops, one in each district to enhance and upgrade the coaches’ knowledge to help them better conduct match related training sessions for trainees. It was held on January 24 and 25 at GFDC Aldona Centre ground, Quitla for the coaches from North Goa and on 30 and 31 at the artificial turf at Fatorda Sports Complex for the coaches from South Goa. The workshop was conducted from 9am to 6pm and was well attended by over 70 coaches from across Goa. The GFDC Chairman, Brahmanand Sankhwalkar visited both the venues during the course of the four day workshop. This workshop was conducted in a very innovative way under the supervision of India’s goalkeeper coach Mario Aguiar who has an AFC A licence in coaching. The objective of this workshop was to enhance and upgrade the coaches knowledge so as to conduct and organise match related football sessions for GFDC trainees. The topic was combination play focusing on wall pass, overlap and take over. It consisted of different theoretical and practical sessions which included brainstorming sessions and group activities on how to deal with kids of various age groups. “Coach education is a key as it is said that better coaches make better players. This was a practical cum evaluation workshop. It consisted of dribbling and ball control from 8 to 10 years, passing and support play for 10 to 12 years, heading for 10 to 12 years,” Mario, an AFC ‘A’ License Coaching instructor, said. “I also gave emphasis on improving the quality of first touch, defending play, attacking play 4V4, goalkeeper ball handling and shot stopping. We explained the responsibility and role of the coach,” he added.The GFDC Chairman opines that clinics held for coaches will refresh their minds, especially when it is after a long gap. “I told everyone to be professional yet friendly in their approach towards the young ones during coaching. I thank Mario Aguiar for the important inputs given to the coaches,”said Brahmanand. The coaches were inspired and motivated from the training imparted at the workshop.

GFDC coaches workshop concludes
Betalbatim doctor murder: Cook, 3 others held in Rajasthan
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

COLVA: In a joint operation with Rajasthan police, four persons were arrested on Thursday for the murder of 27-year-old doctor Nirwan Bharat. Among them is the victim’s cook.South Goa SP Abhishek Dhania told reporters that the victim, who lived in a rented apartment at Betalbatim, had employed Simanchal Parida from Odisha as a cook since January this year. Parida was friends with the other accused—Alok Singh, Nagendra Kumar, both from Rajasthan, and Shahid Khan from Mumbai. They strangled Bharat, hid the corpse in the storage space of the bed and decamped with cash. “The motive was to rob the doctor of his personal belongings, including cash. What exactly they stole will come to light during the interrogation,” Dhania said. Police grew suspicious when they couldn’t trace Parida after the body was discovered on Wednesday. Police had a breakthrough after checking CCTV camera footage. They saw Parida leaving the house with one accomplice and subsequently the other two exiting.Police sources said that the cook had the keys to the premises and his accomplices were lying in wait for the doctor when he entered the apartment on February 7 evening.The accused stole the doctor’s valuables, including cash and cellphone, and fled the scene with the victim’s car.With the help of Rajasthan police, all the accused were apprehended at Bhilwara while travelling in the car.The accused were interrogated at length by the Rajasthan police. They allegedly admitted to having committed the crime. A team of Goa police have already reached Rajasthan with a transit warrant to bring the accused back for a thorough investigation.

Betalbatim doctor murder: Cook, 3 others held in Rajasthan
Freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali dies at 90 in Goa
Times of India | 3 months ago | |
Times of India
3 months ago | |

MARGAO: A stalwart of the Konkani movement, a staunch protagonist of the Konkani language, a veteran freedom fighter for Goa’s Liberation, and a poet, Nagesh Karmali, breathed his last on Thursday. He was 90. Born on February 5, 1933, in Kakoda, Curchorem, Karmali plunged into the freedom struggle at the age of 19. He played a stellar role in creating mass awareness of the freedom movement in South Goa through his association with National Congress (Goa). From 1952, under the guidance of freedom fighter Anthony, alias Tony D’Souza, Karmali worked relentlessly to awaken the masses against the Portuguese regime. To evade arrest, Karmali went underground and sought refuge in Belagavi in Karnataka. However, he was arrested on September 15, 1954, after he arrived in Rivona to participate in a demonstration at the Tiracol fort. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by a military court. His political rights were also revoked for 15 years. “I remained in jail from September 1954 till May 1959, when it was decided to release all those arrested for non-violent forms of protest. My time in prison was the worst one could experience,” Karmali had said in an interview with TOI in December 2015. During his imprisonment in the Reis Magos jail, Karmali formed a Konkani study circle comprising freedom fighters and edited a manuscript named ‘Jot’.In the TOI interview, Karmali also recalled being beaten senseless and even being placed in solitary confinement. After his release, Karmali continued to smuggle grenades for freedom fighters. He would conceal them in the ore being transported from the mines where he was working.Later in 1962, he joined the labour movement, and in 1966 he landed a job at All India Radio, Panaji, as a staff artist, where he contributed significantly to the Konkani language before his retirement in 1991.Karmali was the president of the Goa Freedom Fighters’ Association for three terms.In 1992, he won the Sahitya Akademi award for his collection of poems, ‘Vanshkulachem Denem’.A founder member of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karmali’s contribution to the Konkani movement as a writer, activist and organiser has been immense. While his participation in the Opinion Poll movement and Official Language movement was significant, he also worked tirelessly for the setting up of Konkani Akademi and for the recognition of Konkani by the Sahitya Akademi.He was the recipient of the Goa Konkani Akademi’s Sahitya Pratibha Jeevan Gaurav award.Despite his advanced age, Karmali had also wholeheartedly participated in the agitation led by the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), which advocated government grants only for Konkani-medium primary schools.

Freedom fighter Nagesh Karmali dies at 90 in Goa
Now, Artificial Intelligence-Powered Robot To Save Lives On Goa Beaches
Ndtv | 3 months ago | |
Ndtv
3 months ago | |

Aurus is currently deployed at Miramar beach in North Goa. (File)Panaji: Aurus, an Artificial Intelligence-based self-driving robot, and AI-based monitoring system Triton are being used to augment life-saving capabilities on Goa's beaches, a state-appointed lifeguard services agency has said.The incorporation of AI-based support follows an increase in beach-related incidents due the rising number of domestic and foreign tourists on Goa's coastline, said a spokesperson from Drishti Marine.There have been more than 1,000 rescue incidents in the past two years along the coastal belt which required assistance from the agency's life savers, he said."Aurus is a self-driving robot" developed to assist lifesavers by patrolling extensive non-swim zones and alerting tourists during high tide. The new addition will help in increased surveillance and crowd management at the beaches, he said.Besides, the Triton system's primary focus is to provide a completely AI-based monitoring of non-swim zones, thereby alerting tourists of the danger and notifying the nearest lifesaver.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comAurus is currently deployed at Miramar beach in North Goa, while Triton is deployed at Baina, Velsao, Benaulim, Galgibag in South Goa and Morjim in North Goa, an official from the agency said, adding they intend to deploy 100 Triton units and 10 Aurus units on the state's beaches this year.(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)Featured Video Of The DayIndian-American Girl In "World's Brightest" Students List, Scored Highest

Now, Artificial Intelligence-Powered Robot To Save Lives On Goa Beaches
Court theft in Goa: Lawyer held, wanted cash for properties
Times of India | 4 months ago | |
Times of India
4 months ago | |

PANAJI: Panaji police on Thursday arrested a lawyer in connection with the burglary of muddemal properties of cases, including gold and cash, from the district court premises in Altinho. The lawyer practised in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. “We have arrested advocate Mujahideen Sheikh, a resident of Muslimwado Valpoi, in connection with the court burglary case,” North Goa superintendent of police Nidhin Valsan said. “The accused committed burglary in the court premises to purchase some properties and a car.”Valsan said Sheikh passed out from VM Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, in 2015. As for the stolen property, it will be recovered soon, he said. “He knew that gold is stored in the court premises. He is a lawyer and he dealt with criminal matters,” Valsan said. “I think he found burglary to be the easiest way to make money and he targeted the court.” Panaji police have registered an FIR in the case based on the complaint of the chief judicial magistrate, Valsan said. Immediately after the burglary came to light, police constituted eight teams including one from the crime branch to nab the accused. Valsan said that after thorough technical surveillance, Panaji police cracked the case. “Four days before the burglary, Sheikh conducted a recce in the court to find out where the valuables are stored,” Valsan said. “On January 31, at 5pm he sneaked into court to hide in the toilet. After the court emptied at 6pm, he started stealing.” Sheikh stuffed his bag with whatever he found, Valsan said. “He left the place at around 9.30pm,” he said. Sheikh could be traced because of Smart City CCTV cameras, Valsan said. Other intelligence inputs enabled Panaji police to arrest him. “Sheikh was arrested from Valpoi. To confuse police, he had taken the route towards South Goa,” Valsan said. “He was earlier an accused in a rioting case at Valpoi and was named in a fatal accident case.”

Court theft in Goa: Lawyer held, wanted cash for properties
Regional cancer institute will be ready in next 16 months, says Vishwajit Rane
Times of India | 4 months ago | |
Times of India
4 months ago | |

PANAJI: The regional cancer institute that is being built on the premises of the Goa Medical College will be completed in the next 15 to 16 months, health minister Vishwajit Rane announced on Monday.“Dr Kailash Sharma has been appointed as the nodal officer for the regional centre and the Assam model will be followed in operating the cancer facility in the state,” said Rane.The Assam model, said Rane, has been recommended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this model, the regional facility will operate in coordination with the Centre, and in association with the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.“There is a fixed format of the central government and an agreement that will be followed for the regional cancer centre. The process has been initiated,” said Rane. The health minister also clarified that the state will not have a tie-up with any private institute for the running of the cancer centre.He added the government was looking at whether cancer marker tests could be made available at all government facilities.The Centre has given the Goa government Rs 104 crore for setting up holistic and wellness centres in urban areas, and one has been already set up in Sattari. A consultant has been appointed to study where more centres can be established, the health minister said.A palliative care centre was recently started at the South Goa district hospital with the support of the Cipla Foundation, said Dr Anupama Borker, chief consultant and head at Goa Medical College’s department of medical oncology, adding that with the increasing cancer burden, the need for palliative care services was felt to assist patients and their families in dealing with the life-threatening illness. Palliative care services play an important role in improving patients’ quality of life and that of their families too, who face various challenges while dealing with the disease, said Borker. Meanwhile, the superspecialty block of the Goa Medical College is expected to be fully commissioned in three to four months. The appointment of consultants has been cleared. There is a need for an additional Rs 200 crore to purchase the diagnostic equipment for the superspecialty block, Rane added.

Regional cancer institute will be ready in next 16 months, says Vishwajit Rane
Goa Police and Child Rights Commission organised training for PSIs on restorative care and justice for POCSO victims
Times of India | 4 months ago | |
Times of India
4 months ago | |

The Office of Superintendent of Police (Training) and Child Rights Commission launched a series of training for Police Sub Inspectors at GO’s Training Hall in presence of Sanjith Rodrigues, Secretary, GSCPCR, Sucheta B. Dessai, SP (Training), Peter F. Borges, Chairperson, GSCPCR and Child Welfare Committee, North Goa, and South Goa. The training will reach out to more than 260 PSIs from 19-24th January 2023. Sexual crimes against children have captured the stage fraor quite some time now with Goa too has witnessing a surge in the recent times. Very low conviction rate exists in the state with several POCSO cases ending in acquittals. There exists also a grim reality of a gross failure to support and rehabilitate the victims and their families in terms of victim compensation too. As a result of this, there are instances of victims and their families turning hostile, stop cooperating and loosing hope, said Sanjith Rodrigues, Secretary, GSCPCR and Special Secretary, Home The training revolved around need for convergence between police and child protection system to ensure adequate support services for children as provided in POCSO Rules 2020.While it is important to secure punishment for the perpetrator, focus should also be laid on restorative care and justice, said Peter F. Borges, Chairperson, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who led the training and called for multi-disciplinary approach on linking POCSO victims to the child protection system. He further stressed the need for curbing re-victimization which happens in the justice system process. Several factors and practices existing in the system makes the victim re-live the horrific experience, leading to further trauma due to their vulnerability. Esther Torres, Chairperson, CWC, North Goa, also highlighted the need to introspect and keep aside the persona biases which exist while handling the cases of child abuse. Adv. Viren Bhende, Member, CWC South Goa also spoke on the need for coordinated approach.

Goa Police and Child Rights Commission organised training for PSIs on restorative care and justice for POCSO victims
NEW ZUARI BRIDGE LEAVES COMMUTERS, LOCALS HAPPY
Times of India | 4 months ago | |
Times of India
4 months ago | |


With commute time cut to half, locals anticipate stress-free travel

The new Zuari Bridge was inaugurated on December 29 and travelling between North and South Goa will never be the same again. The crucial connection over the river – which was the old Zuari bridge – was plagued by traffic snarls and was a nightmare, especially in the tourist season. But about two weeks after the new bridge was thrown open, Goa Times took a drive down the road to find pleased commuters, happy traffic cops and a general sense of ease all around.THE REAL TEST IS DURING THE MONSOONAnzil Fernandes, a lecturer who travels from Margao to Mapusa, points out that the litmus test for traffic on that stretch will be in the monsoons. “Atal Setu, which connects Panaji to Porvorim, had potholes after the monsoons. So we have to see what happens on the new Zuari bridge. I hope we don’t have to go back to the old bridge,” he adds.


With commute time cut to half, locals anticipate stress-free travel


WAITING IN TRAFFIC FOR YEARS IS FINALLY PAID OFFAll commuters we spoke to said that their commute time between North and South Goa had reduced substantially. Brunilda Lourenco from Curtorim says that she reaches Panaji in just 40-45 minutes, while earlier, it would take her one and a half hours or more. “I can now get that extra sleep, which makes me feel fresher at work. At night, I would reach home at 9.30 pm at times, leaving my parents worried. The feel oftravelling on the bridge is exciting,” she says.Vanessa Rodrigues from Vasco travels to Panaji, where she works in the hotel industry. “I would wait for almost 2 hours or more and weekends and long holidays were the worst time. There were times I would stay over at my friend’s house or take a bus so that I didn’t have to drive. The road was a nightmare,” she says.NO HONKING, NO POLLUTION, SAY LOCALSThe traffic jam and bottlenecks would start from Agacaim and continue till the old Zuari bridge. To avoid traffic, many would use the interior roads, which would cause more traffic jams inside the village, leaving locals to deal with the noise pollution. “I am so happy that I don’t have to put up with the honking outside my house. Earlier, many taxis would take this route. The few days before the inauguration was crazy, as my 2-year-old would wake up and cry,” says Katherine Fernandes, who has come to Goa from the UK for a holiday. Santana from Cortalim says all her clothes would catch the grime and dust from the passing traffic, but now things were back to normal, leaving her happy.

NEW ZUARI BRIDGE LEAVES COMMUTERS, LOCALS HAPPY
CM Pramod Sawant insists IIT campus will be set up in South Goa
Times of India | 4 months ago | |
Times of India
4 months ago | |

MARGAO: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday reiterated that the IIT campus will be set up in South Goa. “Search for the land is ongoing. The IIT campus will be set up in South Goa,” he said. However, he declined to comment whether it would still come up in Sanguem. Protesters in Sanguem had rejoiced after the Union education ministry said in November 2022 that the land identified by the state government at Cortali, Sanguem, will no longer be considered to set up the IIT campus.The Union ministry had informed Goa that the land identified in Sanguem was not suitable for IIT and that it had decided not to send a site selection committee to inspect the same. The 7 lakh sqm land was found to be insufficient.Following this, Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai had said more land adjoining the identified site would be added to the property to make it suitable for a permanent campus for IIT. IIT Goa became operational in 2016 and ever since the Goa government has been trying to find suitable land for a permanent campus for the institute.It is presently operating from its temporary campus at the Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi.

CM Pramod Sawant insists IIT campus will be set up in South Goa
  • IIT Campus Will Come Up In South Goa: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
  • Ndtv

    Search for the land is going on, he said. (File photo)Panaji: A campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) will come up in South Goa and efforts are on to identify a suitable land for it, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said.The state government had earlier identified a land for setting up the IIT campus at Shel-Melaulim village in Sattari taluka of North Goa district, but the project was then scrapped following violent protests by locals in 2021.Later, another piece of land was identified at Cotarli in Sanguem taluka of South Goa district but as it was insufficient, the project was dropped last year.The issue was discussed during the recently held winter session of the Goa Assembly.Talking to reporters on Monday, Mr Sawant said, "The IIT campus would be set up in South Goa. Search for the land is going on." The CM had earlier said in the state Assembly that some people were going around opposing the land acquisition for the IIT Goa campus.PromotedListen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.comHe had refused to reveal the area where the land was being identified, fearing “unnecessary protest". During a discussion in the House on the issue, Congress MLA Altone D'Costa, who represents Quepem Assembly segment in South Goa, had asked the state government to set up the IIT campus in his constituency.He had said land was available at Betul in Quepem constituency to set up the institute campus.Featured Video Of The DaySonu Sood Sings 'Dil Chori', Soldiers Love His Desi Swag