Goa Blog

Mr Shantaram Naik  M.P. in a special mention made in the Rajya Sabha, last week,  has drawn the attention of the Government on the poor condition of certain stretches of Mumbai-Goa National Highway  and said that it  has become a pothole highway due to the damage caused to it on several stretches. It is not known as to exactly which government is responsible for the maintanance   of National Highways—State or Central, Mr Naik says in his mention. There appears to be no definite policy in this matter. Some stretches of a highways are looked after by National Highway Authority, some by State government by using the funds given by the NHA and so on, Mr Naik said.

Those who do not repair  potholes on national highways  within 24 hours, commit serious crime of criminal negligence. Thousands of people traveling through public and private vehicles on National Highway face the risk of grievous injuries and even death on account of potholes, Mr Naik stressed.

Mr Naik has said in his special mention that the   present policy of the government all over the country,  to repair potholes after the monsoon, is dangerous as, by that time damage caused to life and property of the people is quite huge. As regards Mumbai Goa highway, sudden increase of pressure on it on account of disruption of Konkan Railway,  during monsoon, which is a routine matter nowadays, , every year,  calls for the timely repair of Mumbai- Goa highway all the more, Mr Naik says.

In any case,  government should adopt a uniform policy as regards, the mantainance of National Highways in the country , and that,  it should give up present musical chair policy , Mr Naik adds.

The Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is in dialogue with the Coast Guard to make the shipyard a one-stop-shop for all repair and maintenance work of the maritime force’s vessels, a top official said Monday. Addressing a press conference in Panaji, GSL chairman Vineet Bakshi said he was examining the possibility of a long-term relationship with the Coast Guard. ‘The Indian Coast Guard does not have its own shipyard unlike the Indian Navy. We are examining the possibility of a long-term relationship with them for the maintenance and repair of their vessels,’ Bakshi said.

The former rear admiral also said that there were a lot of logistical issues that needed to be addressed if GSL were to be made the ‘principal ship repair yard’ for the Coast Guard. ‘A lot of logistics need to be worked out. Right now, we have the capability to repair two Coast Guard vessels at a time,’ he said. The Coast Guard’s mission is to protect India’s maritime interests, including the coastline, Exclusive Economic Zone and shipping and other aspects of maritime law enforcement.

There are currently five advanced offshore patrol vessels, nine offshore patrol vessels, and 11 fast patrol vessels in the Coast Guard fleet apart from other small vessels. The GSL is a defence ministry-operated public sector undertaking located in Vasco, 35 km from here.

Courtesy: sify

Jnanpith Award winner and noted Konkani litterateur, Ravindra Kelekar’s mortal remains were consigned to flames with the state’s guard of honour at his Nagar-Priol, (Ponda taluka) residential courtyard on Saturday, August 28, afternoon.

He was 85 years old and breathed his last on Friday morning after a prolonged illness resulting from age-related complications.

Priest, Achut Bhatt Tottekar conducted the prayer service and the funeral pyre was lit by his only son, Girish Kelekar in the presence of relatives, friends, writers, politicians, businessmen and a large number of villagers.

Fr Alfred Almeida also offered final prayers to the departed soul. The state government was represented by the Governor Dr S S Sidhu’s representative. The Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat paid floral tributes to late Ravindra Kelekar. Ministers Churchill Alemao, Joaquim Alemao, Alex Sequeira, Jose Philip D’Souza, leader of opposition, Manohar Parrikar, local MLA, Pandurang Dhavalikar, MLAs Damodar Naik, Laxmikant Parsekar, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Subhash Shirodkar, ex-MLAs, freedom fighters, Registrar and Vice-Chancellor of Goa University, social activists, historians, scientists and senior and noted Konkani and Marathi writers also paid tributes to the departed soul.

The village of Priol was in grief since Friday when the body of the noted Konkani litterateur was brought to his ancestral house here.

Courtesy: daijiworld