LET US all stop this ridiculous idea of a bridge or sea link to Vasco (or was it to be Sambhaji Nagar to Dona Paula) which will be a white elephant like the huge bridge at Aldona where, again, our money was wasted on building a huge, costly bridge, which has hardly any vehicles or people crossing over it to justify its cost. Of course, a huge IFFI party could be held on the sea link to justify its existence, as was done in Aldona.

At the seminar held at the International Centre to understand the reason behind the sea link idea, speaker after learned speaker outright rejected the idea with valid reasons and the idea of a bridge at this location should have been dropped, but - as per news in the press - it seems the government is hell bent on building the bridge and pushing ahead with this dumb idea at super speed.

As pointed out at the seminar by a representative of the GCCI - the apex body representing the business community of Goa - another bridge at Cortalim is needed urgently to carry vehicles like trucks and containers along the highway since the present bridge is unsafe and all such traffic is diverted and has to travel the torturous route via Ponda, instead of this coastal highway road that joins the North to South. Again, the two-lane bridge cannot sustain heavy traffic and a four-lane bridge is necessary. Also, another bridge from Panaji to Betim should be built as there is very heavy movement of vehicles here.

A professor from Goa University pointed out that matters like the stinking garbage problem, polluting mines, etc are much more pressing, not forgetting the fairy tale River Princess eroding Goa’s most famous beach in the North and the government should spend its time, money and energies on solving these issues, instead of this bridge in the sky that is unnecessary and a huge money waster. After all, it is our money that will be used to finance this project.

More people need to raise their voices against this ridiculous waste of our money on fancy ideas that will cost huge amounts of money - money that be better utilized for our good elsewhere in our state.

Annand Madgavkar,
Via email.

CHIEF JUSTICE

THE Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, A P Shah recently retired with a deep sense of hurt. Justice Shah, a senior most High Court Chief Justice, was bypassed by the Supreme Court collegium, denying him elevation to the apex court. He was a victim of the existing system of judicial appointments. It is very clear that the current procedure for selecting Supreme and High Court judges lacks transparency and is shrouded in much secrecy.  Parameters must be laid down for the selection process so that only the best and brightest filter through.

During his 21-month tenure as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court,  A P Shah came to be known for his pro-poor policies, transparency, reasonableness in public policies and for taking up the cause of the disabled. He will also be remembered for his brave and landmark judgment in bringing the office of the Chief Justice of India under the purview of the Right to Information Act. Justice AP Shah has been very candid in admitting that corruption in judiciary is a reality that cannot be denied.

Having retired as a High Court Justice, AP Shah will not be seeking any post retirement plum posting but has decided to associate himself with the late Baba Amte’s Anand Wan Ashram at Chandrapur district in Maharashtra. He plans to be actively engaged in social work, tackling problems like lack of access to the health care services for the mentally disabled. A very noble way of paying back to society.

Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar.