(1)Pre monsoon preparedness Besides the usual pruning of tress, desilting of nullahs,etc can we find a longterm solution to this repeated road digging activities all year round jeopardizing our phone lines, internet cables,creating dusty environment,traffic problems and in some areas leads to anastomosis between water and sewage pipe lines causing epidemics of various diseases. My suggestion: have a permanent concrete chamber all along the highways with manholes at strategic points, it will certainly prove to be cost effective in the long run specially for a tiny state of Goa. Government can work out the cost of repeated digging activities with its ugly consequences v/s the cost of constructing a common permanent concrete chamber for all types of cables .Goa needs to think of a futuristic infrastructure now. Dr. Delia Dsouza GMC
(2)Subway near Goa Medical College I would like to know if the new subway near GMC has a system in place to prevent the rain water that might descend down the steps and cause casualities. I would also like to suggest provision of bins for collection of waste at multiple locations inside the subway and the sweepers be made to direct people towards the bins provided. Find a mechanism to prevent entry of dogs/cattle in the subway. Have solar pannels fitted for its cost effective power supply. It's only after the gaps on the highway road divider are closed completly,one can expect the public to fully utilize the subway. Dr Delia Dsouza, GMC 3)Goa's futuristic infrastructure Keeping in mind the sea level rise due to the impact of Global warming, Goa needs to seriously look into its infrastructure, build more quality bridges, improve our transportation (via waterways, skybuses), retain the hills, we will need them more than ever before. People are not taking sea level rise seriously in Goa, dear friends we might have to literally build castles in the air Dr Delia Dsouza (4)Dog menace in Goa Dear Friends of humanity, I fully agree with Dr Rozario Menezes and his cause to fight against dog menace. How do you think we can solve this issue?. I am not sure which of the readers in this forum values a stray dog's life more than human life. Perhaps the so called dog lovers can suggest simple solutions to this menace. How about making a list of dog lovers in Goa and asking them to donate antirabies vaccines and immunoglobulins to government hospitals in goa . Hopefully they are aware of the cost of treatment that involves immunoglobulin and 5 doses of vaccine per exposure to suspected rabied dog. Loss of life or any body part cannot be compensated for. Every morning as I walk into GMC premises, I am accompanied by an army of stray dogs while I pray not to be attacked by them.It's such a nightmare . Just the fear of seeing these dogs is sufficient to cause a heart attack. I would not be wrong if I say that the stray dog population must have exceeded human population in Goa. Literally Goa my dear friends has gone to the DOGS. Regards, Delia 6) KTC buses It is good to read "Car pool today or walk to your destination tomorrow" displayed on most kadamba transport buses. Every bus commuter is forced to travel in OVERCROWDED buses where there is just enough place to stand only on one foot . The buses become ideal source of infection for various respiratory diseases, as some patients lack etiquette and spread their infections by coughing and sneezing right on people's faces, and in such overcrowded buses almost all commuters are at risk of infection. This overcrowding helps spread various diseases. Can the kadamba transport authorities arrange for more number of buses(at least during peak hour 8-9am) so as to limit the standing passengers to less than 20? Is it possible to have a separate bus from KTC panaji to Goa Medical College & Hospital ? since that would ease a lot of problems of sick children, pregnant women, orthopaedic patients, physically challenged, elderly patients as they are forced to compete with others for a seat and not given any preference in todays buses. It is a pitiful sight to behold. It would be nice to display health messages at KTC bus stands. " No smoking/ spitting"...is often displayed inside the buses, it would be nice to add Cover your nose and mouth whilst coughing/sneezing and do not litter the road Buses may be provided with a bin inside the bus for those passengers lacking etiquette .Bus conductors to ensure that no passenger litters the road. It would be nice if the conductors wore their identity badges at all times so as to be rewarded for their good work on public demand. If we can improve our public transport and make it commuter friendly and hygienic I am sure more people will prefer public transport and help "save fuel today for a better tomorrow" Dr Delia Dsouza
