Centre for Responsible Tourism, Goa

Tourists come down to Goa for cheap booze. With so many rent a bike options available this phenomena of drinking and riding or driving will only grow

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/peak-tourist-season-worst-for-fatal-road-accidents/articleshow/59344031.cms

Those riding or driving on Goan roads between 3pm and 6pm need to exercise extra caution. Figures from the traffic cell of the Goa police reveal that most fatal accidents occur during this time of day.

The report also found that the highest number of accident cases are reported in January.

According to statistics for the last five years (2012 to 2016), 4,069 accidents were reported from 3pm to 6pm, killing 274 persons. On an average, one person dies in a road accident every 30 hours in the state.

The traffic cell has submitted a detailed accident analysis report to chief minister Manohar Parrikar. As per the report, another dangerous time frame to be on Goan roads is between 6pm and 9pm. In the same five-year duration, 3,984 accidents were reported and 272 persons died.

On the other hand, the safest time to ride or drive Goa’s roads would be from 12am to 6am. During this time frame, 1,707 accidents were reported, and 125 people were killed on Goan roads.

Deputy superintendent of police (DySP), North Goa traffic cell, D G P Angle told TOI that there are fewer accidents reported during morning office hours because people drive at different times, but in the evening office hours end at the same time resulting in a lot of traffic on the roads.

Angle said that December and January have the highest number of tourists visiting the state and, consequently, the volume of traffic increase.

The lowest number of accidents were reported in June, July and August. During these three months, an average of 1,500 to 1,650 accidents were reported.

The BJP government famous only to make announcements. Such big noise about the so called high end tourism projects, and the launches were were bigger. All the said projects are yet to see the light of day. Cabral only made big announcements. 

The question arises as to whether the locals even want this kind of tourism and who will this tourism benefit.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/delayed-high-end-tourism-projects-may-restart-in-nov/articleshow/59360467.cms

Three tourism services launched by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) two seasons ago are not likely to kickstart anytime before November. The services — amphibian buses, sea planes and helicopter rides — were introduced to promote tourism, but are yet to become commercially operational.

GTDC chairman Nilesh Cabral said they couldn’t proceed with the services mainly because of inordinate delays in getting permissions. GTDC plans to restart helicopter rides by using the government-owned helipad at Ela, Old Goa, for which it will require to take all permissions afresh.

Cabral said a host of permissions were required to be obtained including one from the Union ministry of road, surface and transport for the amphibian bus service.

While permissions from local government departments were received, a nod from the Union ministry is awaited. Cabral said a team from the Union ministry will visit Goa to inspect amphibious buses before issuing permission to operate amphibious vehicles.
Cabral said he has also written to Nitin Gadkari, union minister for road, surface and transport requesting him look into the matter.

A sea plane service is another project of the GTDC that has remained grounded. It was aimed at niche tourists, but GTDC’s plan floundered after the selected agency failed to start the service on time.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/govt-may-decide-on-new-casino-today/articleshow/59344505.cms

The state government on Tuesday sought a day’s time from the high court of Bombay at Goa to take a decision whether to allow the casinovessel belonging to Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited (GGHPL), a subsidiary of former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda’s MDLR group, in River Mandovi.

For some time now we have been hearing that Margao station has been selected to depict a modern station with all the latest, top class amenities. This is far from reality. Not only is the station one of the dirtiest , it reeks of fecal smell and has garbage thrown all over the tracks. 

Under the Manahor Parrikar led BJP government we have only been hearing tall announcements with nothing byway of follow-up… this is one such case.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/margao-railway-station-revamped-at-rs-94-55-lakh/articleshow/59344096.cms

Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik on Tuesday said that as Margao was a main centre of the Konkan Railway, “no train entering Goa should avoid the station under any pretext whatsoever,” and demanded that modernisation of the station be done on a priority basis.

Naik was speaking after inaugurating the ‘vacuum dewatered concrete and kota stone’ surfacing done at platform 2 and 3 of the Margao railway station at a cost of Rs.94.55 lakh under Members of Parliament Local Area Develop (MPLAD) Scheme.

Naik’s statements assume significance as a couple of new trains introduced by the Konkan Railway originate from and terminate at Karmali station.

The vacuum dewatered flooring method is a system of laying high quality concrete floors with superior cost-effectiveness. The principle involved in the method is the dewatering of concrete by vacuum process. Surplus water from the concrete is removed immediately after placing and vibration, reducing the water-cement ratio to an optimum level.

Naik further said that the modernisation of roof of Tivim railway station at the cost of Rs.95.41 Lakh also from the MPLAD scheme was nearing completion and was likely to be inaugurated on July 16.

He rued that the South Western Railway took no interest in his offer to recommend a project under the MPLAD scheme. Naik said that bullet trains were not viable in India “unless there is foolproof technology, dedicated tracks and assurance of zero accidents by the private partner entrusted with the job”.