log on to thegoan.net MONDAY APRIL 6, 2026 GOA @thegoanonline Oil prices, Iran tensions, FII outflows, RBI action shape market trends IN SHORT >> Ray of hope for sand mining PANAJI: In what could be seen as a ray of hope for the resumption of sand mining activities in the State, the GCZMA has informed the NGT that while sand mining is a prohibited activity in CRZ areas, the removal of sand bars through traditional methods is permitted under existing guidelines.   >> See pg 3 Father, daughter hurt in knife attack VASCO: A 34-year-old woman was allegedly attacked with a knife in broad daylight at Vollant, Cortalim, leaving her seriously injured, while her father also sustained injuries during a rescue attempt. According to a complaint the incident occurred on Saturday morning at around 9.45 on an internal public road in the locality.  >> See pg 3 Mapusa bus stand row escalates MAPUSA: Two days after The Goan highlighted the hazardous condition of the Mapusa bus stand, the issue has escalated with a formal complaint seeking criminal action against the top official of Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. Sudip Tamhankar has approached the police demanding that an FIR be registered.  >> See pg 3 Blaze near petrol pump sparks panic VALPOI: A massive fire broke out on Sunday afternoon in the Navadar Supachi Pud area near the petrol pump in Honda, Sattari. Intense heat combined with gusty winds caused the fire to take a fierce turn, sparking panic among local plantation owners.  >> See pg 5 AI suspends flights to Israel till May 31 NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing war in West Asia, Air India has suspended its flights to Israel till May 31. Most of the leading airlines have suspended operations with only Israeli carriers like El Al, IsraAir, Arkia and Air Haifa operating. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 33.2 C 24.1 C 73% The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 288 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 9 Medical view points to drug abuse in MP student’s death GOA INFO Campaigns intensify as HC ruling looms over Ponda by-election Margao market fire sparks fresh safety fears >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan How to restore your scalp’s health using natural ingredients OBSERVATIONS IN REPORT RED FLAGS SWELLING IN BRAIN, LUNGS AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA The mysterious death of a 21-year-old youth from Indore, who collapsed while attending a party in Anjuna, has taken a serious turn, with suspicion of a drug overdose emerging even as authorities await definitive laboratory results. Police sources confirmed that the post-mortem examination, detailed in an eightpage report, has stopped short of giving a final cause of death, with doctors reserving their opinion pending chemical analysis of viscera. However, crucial observations in the report – particularly a marked degree of edema (swelling) in the brain and lungs – have raised red flags. “Such findings are highly suggestive. While we cannot conclusively state the cause without toxicology, these indicators are commonly associated with drug overdose or poisoning,” a source familiar with the medical findings said. Underlying factor A former forensic expert, speaking on condition of ano- Party timeline comes under scrutiny; friend admits use of recreational drug MAPUSA: Investigations reveal that the deceased was part of a group of 10 to 12 tourists from Indore who had travelled to Goa to attend a high-profile music event featuring “Black Coffee.” After the event was cancelled, the group reportedly shifted to a club in Anjuna. An acquaintance of the group, contacted during the course of investigation, disclosed some members of the group allegedly consumed recreational drugs, including ecstasy pills. The deceased was among those who reportedly ingested the substance. “He was initially fine and was seen having nymity, said the autopsy findings align with cases involving toxic substances. “When you see swelling of the brain and lungs, fluid accumulation in both – these are warning signs. It could occur in drowning, poisoning, or drug overdose. But context matters,” the expert said. “In the case of a 21-year- fun like the others. But after some time, he began to feel uneasy and his condition rapidly deteriorated before he collapsed,” the acquaintance claimed. Following the collapse, the youth’s friends rushed him to a private hospital in Anjuna, which reportedly declined to admit him. He was then taken to another private facility in Mapusa, from where he was referred to the district hospital. By the time he reached there, he was declared brought dead. The sequence of hospital refusals and delays is also expected to come under scrutiny as part of the broader probe. old, a natural heart attack is extremely rare. When you factor in a party setting, the probability of substance use becomes higher,” he added. Conflicting narratives emerge Even as investigative leads point toward possible drug consumption, there appear to Soaring summer demand strains State’s reservoirs DAMS HOVER AROUND 50 PER CENT CAPACITY, BUT OFFICIALS SAY SITUATION UNDER CONTROL THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA As the summer heat intensifies across the State, rising water consumption has begun to reflect in reservoir levels, with several key dams now hovering around or below the 50 per cent mark. However, officials maintain that the situation remains under control for now. Data from the Water Resources Department (WRD) indicates that while water levels have declined in recent weeks, they are still within manageable limits. The Selaulim dam, the primary source of drinking water for South Goa, currently stands at 53 per cent of its storage capacity. In North Goa, the Tillari dam has dropped to the halfway mark at 50 per cent. Other reservoirs are faring slightly better, with Chapoli in Canacona and the smaller Gaunem reservoir recording levels of „„Selaulim Dam the primary drinking water source for South Goa is at 53% „„Tillari Dam is at halfway mark of 50% „„Water level at Chapoli Dam is 58% „„Gaunem reservoir stands at 59% „„Anjunem reservoir that serves MAJOR hinterland areas DAMS & has just 36% water WATER LEVELS „„Panchwadi dam has 46% „„Amthane dam is the lowest among major reservoirs at 33% 58 per cent and 59 per cent, respectively. Concerns are more pronounced in some pockets, particularly in the hinterland. The Anjunem reservoir, which caters to Sattari and parts of Bicholim taluka, has dipped to 36 per cent, while the Amthane dam – supplying Bardez, Pernem and parts of Bicholim – has recorded the lowest level among major reservoirs at just 33 per cent. The Panchwadi dam cur- rently stands at 46 per cent. With April and May typically being the peak summer months, officials expect water consumption to rise further. Increased domestic usage, coupled with tourism-related demand, is likely to exert additional pressure on existing resources. Despite the downward trend, authorities have struck a reassuring note. >Continued on P7 be attempts in certain quarters to attribute the death to a cardiac event. Officials, however, maintain that no conclusion can be drawn until the forensic laboratory submits its report. “The cause of death is reserved. We are awaiting the chemical analysis report,” a senior police officer stated. Pattern of unconfirmed overdose cases The case also brings back focus on Goa’s persistent struggle with drug-related incidents along its coast. Over the past decade, the State has recorded more than a dozen suspected overdose deaths, particularly in nightlife hubs such as Anjuna and Vagator. However, in a striking pattern, none of these cases have been officially confirmed as drug overdoses after forensic analysis, often leaving critical questions unanswered. Whether this case will follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen. Awaiting the final word For now, the death remains officially “undetermined,” but circumstantial evidence, medical indicators and eyewitness accounts increasingly point in one direction. The final cause of death will hinge on the viscera analysis – a report that could either confirm suspicions of drug overdose or once again leave the case shrouded in ambiguity. SPORTS RCB batting trio goes berserk to thrash CSK by 43 runs 12 Govt ramps up LPG supply as demand continues to rise Five-kg cylinder sales surge PTI NEW DELHI Sale of small 5-kg LPG cylinders -- available across-thecounter at LPG distributorships on showing valid ID proofs -- has been stepped up, with about 6.6 lakh bottles sold since March 23 as the government ramps up supplies to meet demand. Unlike the subsidised domestic 14.2-kg cylinders, the 5 kg bottles, called FTL cylinders, are priced at market rates and do not require any address proof for procurement from a nearby LPG distributorship. “Yesterday (April 4), more than 90,000, 5Kg FTL cylinders were sold. Since March 23, 2026, about 6.6 lakh, 5 Kg FTL cylinders have been sold,” the oil ministry said in a statement. The ministry said there are no reports of shortages at LPG distributor points, with more than 51 lakh domestic cylinders delivered during the day and online bookings accounting for 95 per cent of total demand. Authorities have intensified action against hoarding and black marketing, seizing over SUPPLY FIGURES „„Around 6.6 lakh 5-kg LPG cylinders sold since March 23 „„Over 90,000 cylinders sold on April 4 alone „„Available over-the-counter at LPG distributorships with valid ID 50,000 cylinders since March and issuing more than 1,400 show-cause notices to LPG distributors, with 36 dealerships suspended so far. The government has prioritised supplies of domestic LPG and piped natural gas (PNG), particularly for households and essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions, while boosting refinery output and managing demand by extending LPG refill intervals. Commercial LPG supplies have been capped at 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, with smaller cylinders being made widely available to ease pressure on demand. Trump issues expletive-laden threat against Iran on Hormuz 1 US President Donald Trump on Sunday made expletive-laden new threats to escalate strikes on Iran and its infrastructure if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline. His comment came after American forces rescued an aviator whose Iran-downed plane fell behind enemy lines. A defiant Iran struck infrastructure targets in neighbouring Gulf Arab countries, challenged the US account of the rescue and threatened to restrict another heavily used waterway in the region, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Arabian Peninsula. In a social media post, Trump vowed to hit Iran's power plants and bridges and said the country would be 'living in hell' if the Strait of Hormuz, isn't opened by Tuesday. He ended with 'Praise be to Allah'. >> See pg 7 2 3 EASTER GRACE: Pope Leo XIV delivers his ‘urbi et orbi’ (to the city and the world) message from the main balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Easter Sunday. More than 50,000 people were present at his solemn blessing. Goa eyes 186% Q1 borrowing jump THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government is poised to significantly increase its market borrowings in the first quarter of the current financial year, with plans to raise nearly 186 per cent more through bond sales compared to the same period last year. While the State had bor- rowed Rs 350 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal, it now aims to mobilise close to Rs 1,000 crore, reflecting a marked rise in dependence on market loans. The amount is set to be utilized for capital expenditure as well as on social welfare schemes. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) indic- ative calendar for April-June 2026, Goa plans to raise Rs 200 cr in April, followed by Rs 400 cr in May and Rs 300 cr June through bond issuances. In contrast, during the same period last year, the State had initially projected borrowings of Rs 900 crore but ultimately raised only Rs 350 crore, with >Continued on P7 Sweet relief for common man, Plans afoot for modern fishing hub at Cola-Saleri INTEGRATED MODERN COASTAL FISHING VILLAGE ʻmalcoradoʼ slips within reach THE GOAN I NETWORK FARMERS CAUTIOUS ON PRE-MONSOON SHOWERS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s prized malcorado mango is finally slipping within reach of the common man. As orchards across the State push peak-season harvests into local markets, prices that once touched Rs 5,000 a dozen have begun to soften. In Panaji’s market this week, larger malcorados were quoted at Rs 2,500–Rs 3,000 per dozen, while medium fruit hovered around Rs 2,000. Smaller mangoes were availa- ble for as low as Rs 1,500. Just days earlier, the same premium fruit commanded nearly double those rates. Agriculture officers say the overall outlook for this year’s crop remains positive, with flowering strong, and initial harvests encouraging. “If weather conditions continue to remain stable, yields should be satisfactory,” said one officer even as he warned that unseasonal rains could be a dampener. Farmers on the other hand are cautious taking cues from the pre-monsoon showers which hit part of north-eastern Goa's Sattari sub-district earlier last week. The rains could trigger premature fruit drop and undo months of effort, several farmers told The Goan. Growers in Sattari and Old Goa reported early signs of fruit drop, worsened by monkey raids. “One heavy spell at the wrong time can undo months of effort. We are hopeful, but >Continued on P7 PANAJI he Fisheries Department has proposed to develop Cola-Saleri village in Canacona taluka as an Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Village, under the Central government initiative, with plans that include construction of a floating jetty and upgradation of key fishing infrastructure. According to the proposal, the project includes repair and refurbishment of the existing fishing ramp, reconstruction of a net-mending shed, and desilting activities, along with the installation of a floating jetty measuring approximately 40x3 metres. The project is part of efforts T FISHING FOR THE FUTURE „„Fisheries dept plans to develop Cola-Saleri as integrated modern coastal fishing village „„To be part of Central govt scheme under PMMSY „„To include repair, refurbishment of existing fishing ramp „„Reconstruction of a net-mending shed proposed „„Floating jetty to be approx 40×3 mts „„Provision of floating pontoon, gangway for easier boat access „„Development aimed at to modernise traditional fishing infrastructure and improve facilities for local fishing communities under Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sam- pada Yojana (PMMSY). Authorities have indicated that the plan also provides for floating pontoon and gangway facilities along the Saleri River modernising fishing infra „„To have additional ramp development and refurbishment over 200 sq mts ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS „„Falls within Coastal Regulation Zone areas „„Classified under CRZ-III (NDZ in river area) „„Includes CRZ-IA (mangrove buffer zone – 50m) „„Parts extend into CRZ-IB (intertidal area) „„Environmental approvals mandatory before project execution to ease boat access and operations. Documents further state that the project will be undertaken on an existing plinth within survey number 124/4 of Cola village. The total built-up area proposed is about 139.60 sq mts, with additional ramp development and refurbishment covering over 200 sq mts. However, the site falls within ecologically sensitive Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas. As per CZMP 2011 classification, the survey plot lies within the river no-development zone (NDZ) under CRZ-III, with parts affected by a 50-metre mangrove buffer zone classified as CRZ-IA. A portion of the site is also marked as a fishermen community complex. The proposal notes that >Continued on P7