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Will it take the death of 19-year-old Arti Gond for our snoozing administration to wake up?
Imagine the agony of her family. She was crossing a main road in the capital city near Panjim Municipal garden and she should have been safe. All her death has brought forth are excuses and justifications. What if she had been a minister's daughter? Would her life have more value? Would we see action instead of words?
Everyone talks about Panjim needing to be a Smart City. What about it being a SAFE city first? We need to spend on the priorities. Lives matter more than WiFi.
The department concerned whether it is the forest dept or the municipality, must ensure they have the most efficient tools and other gadgets ready to combat such accidents. I have seen several instances where they are not equipped and at the last moment, when such accidents take place, they are running to procure equipment. Many times such departments fail to rescue people quickly who are trapped under the debris or accident. Infact, the government needs to be proactive and listen to people who are reporting about the possibility of these accidents occuring.
Recently, in Dona Paula, some workers were sent to clear the grass from the side of the roads in the ward. My neighbour informed them of one tree where the branch/leaves are hanging and almost touching the electric pole wires. She requested them to trim the branches but they told her they don't have the equipment. She asked them to send someone. I fear that we will have a long wait.
Maybe someone else will have to die before they come to trim the tree. The authorities concerned need to look into this as soon as possible to combat such accidents in the future.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Stephen Dias Dona Paula
Quelle/Source: O Heraldo, 12.08.2024