log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JUNE 2, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 345 2 Fishing ban puts Margao markets under scrutiny GOA BJP seeks to fast track Schedule Tribes reservation ahead of elections 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE The rush before schools reopen Goa gears up for high-tech blitz on traffic violations  AI-POWERED CAMS TO ISSUE E-CHALLANS FROM JUNE 10  CRACKDOWN TO BEGIN ACROSS 26 MAJOR JUNCTIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI More than three months after the much-publicised artificial intelligence traffic enforcement program missed its original deadline, the State government is preparing to finally activate the first phase of the project, with AI-powered cameras expected to begin issuing electronic challans at 26 junctions across Goa from June 10. The government is now moving ahead with a wider first-phase deployment than originally envisioned, nearly doubling the number of operational sites from the 14 junctions that were expected to go live earlier this year. Sources said that the schedule was derailed by a series of technical and other issues that surfaced during testing, forcing authorities to halt implementation and revisit the system before allowing it to go live. “Now all certifications, testing and validation exercises have been completed. The IN SHORT >> Solapur businessman drowns in Candolim MAPUSA: A holiday in Goa ended in tragedy for a family from Solapur-Maharashtra when a 54-year-old businessman drowned in the sea off Candolim on Monday.   >> See pg 3 Asilo hospital hit by 4-hour power outage MAPUSA: A short circuit in the low-tension electrical panel near the diesel generator caused a power outage in North Goa District Hospital (Asilo), Mapusa, on Monday, inconveniencing patients, doctors and hospital staff for four hours.  >> See pg 5 Commercial LPG prices increased NEW DELHI: Prices of commercial LPG -- the one used in hotels and restaurants -were on Monday hiked by Rs 42 per 19-kg cylinder. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 35.6 C 28.2 C 70% TIDES Low: 05.31 18.27 High: 12.45 23.07 BEWARE! BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING „„Phase-I project covers major traffic corridors across North, South „„Includes key junctions in Verna, Margao, Nuvem, Vasco, Colva, Benaulim, Curchorem, Mapusa „„AI-powered traffic cameras use Automatic Number Plate Recognition tech project is ready for commissioning," the source told The Goan, adding that 25-26 locations are expected to become operational in the first phase beginning June 10. This first batch spans major traffic corridors in North and South Goa, including Merces, Verna, Margao, Nuvem, Vasco, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Curchorem and Mapusa. „„Automated traffic surveillance to be 24x7 „„Challans to be generated automatically under Sec 136A of MVA „„Cameras can detect signal jumping violations „„Can identify riders without helmets „„Can detect triple-seat riding on two-wheelers „„Will be able to monitor number plate violations „„Uses image analytics to identify other traffic offences Among the junctions selected are Merces, Birla Cross in Verna, Bellem, Old Market, Fatorda, Tata Showroom - Nuvem, Goa Ceramics - Nuvem, Gorvotti, Nuvem Bypass, Arlem, Bolshe Circle, Missing Link at Loutolim, Navelim, Power House Circle - Margao, Munj Vihar Circle; Titan, IFB, Ravi Café – all at Verna; VP Chicalim, Betalbatim, Green House at Colva, Maria Hall at Benaulim, Ambedkar Circle at Curchorem, and Mapusa’s Tara Bastora, Akoi Village and Duler. Under the program, cameras equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and artificial intelligence will monitor traffic violations round the clock and automatically generate challans under Section 136A of the Motor Vehicles DISCUSSES GREEN GROWTH INITIATIVES WITH UNION ENVIRONMENT MINISTER THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s second visit to New Delhi has intensified political speculation over a possible cabinet reshuffle, even as he held talks with the Centre on environmental and development priorities for the state on the first day of his visit on Monday. Sawant met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav with a press statement stating that the two leaders discussed sustainable development and green growth initiatives in Goa. Sawant is on a two-day visit to Delhi, his second trip to the capital within a week. Sources told The Goan that he is expected to meet Election Commission officials on Tuesday, with discussions likely to focus on filling the cabinet vacancy ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle and the demand for Scheduled Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi on Monday. Tribe reservation in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest. Sources further suggested that a reshuffle of two current ministers cannot be ruled out, although no confirmation has emerged from official channels. “There could be new faces,” the source added. Meanwhile, BJP Goa President Damu Naik attended an all-India meet of State presidents in Delhi. Goa's irrigation infrastruc- Met dept now forecasts monsoon onset over Kerala within 2-3 days NEW DELHI The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in Kerala in the next two to three days, the India Meteorological Department said in its forecast on Friday. Typically, the season begins around June 1. “Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands, some parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the next two to three days,” >Continued on P9 Norway Chess 2026: Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa lose in Round 6 Petitioners claim project being pushed without key environmental approvals THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The controversial Borim Bridge project has come under renewed scrutiny before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), with petitioners submitting fresh evidence claiming that the project cannot legally proceed without forest clearance, after an RTI reply allegedly confirmed the applicability of the Forest (Conservation) Act to land under acquisition. The petitioners contend that the bridge, which could require the cutting of nearly 5,000 trees, is being pushed ahead without key environmental approvals. In a fresh affidavit filed before the NGT on May 28, petitioner Tulshidas Naik from, Borim, Ponda, has relied on information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to contend that the project cannot proceed without statutory environmental and forest clearances. “RTI reply confirms the averments of the Applicants that a Forest Clearance is required for the Borim Bridge project and in the absence „„RTI reply confirms that estimate around 4,875 Forest Clearance required trees will need to be cut for Borim bridge „„Letter from project project proponent „„States that acknowledges RTI provisions of part of Survey REPLY Forest Act apNo. 357 in BLOWS plies to Survey Borim marked THE LID No 28 in Queula as Pvt forest „„Reveals no „„Project propermission granted by ponent sought NOC Dy Conservator of Forests from Forest Dept for tree felling „„Petitioners say no NOC „„Project documents has been issued till date of the clearances including the Forest Clearance, the CRZ Clearances and an EIA Clearance, the Borim Bridge Project should be stayed and should not be permitted to be executed,” the petitioner stated. According to the affidavit, the EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) prepared by private consultants for the project estimate that around 4,875 trees would need to be cut. The petitioners, however, argue that the actual number is Yellow alert in Goa from June 3 to 5 PANAJI: IMD Goa, has issued a weather alert warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph across the State between June 3 and June 5. The advisory comes as the southwest monsoon advances over the region. the weather department said. The advance can also take place in some more parts of southwest, west-central, east-central and northeast Bay of Bengal, and remaining parts of southeast Bay of Bengal during the period, it predicted. The IMD had earlier pre- dicted the onset of monsoon over Kerala on May 26. However, the arrival of monsoon was delayed, and the department stated on May 29 that it could happen the following week. In its revised forecast last week, the department said the season's rainfall would be below normal. ture, water distribution network and long-term water security figured prominently in separate discussions between Sawant and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi. Sawant said the meeting explored ways to improve water-use efficiency, promote sustainable management of water resources and strengthen support for State's agriculture and rural sectors. RESENTMENT IS NATURAL, SAYS CHODANKAR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Facing open dissent, resignations and growing resentment within its ranks following the reappointment of Girish Chodankar as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president, the Congress on Monday sought to contain the damage, insisting that "resentment is natural" and stressing that the party's mission to defeat the BJP in 2027 is bigger than any individual leader. The All India Congress Committee's (AICC) decision to replace Amit Patkar and bring back Chodankar at the helm has triggered turmoil within the State unit, with several leaders and workers openly expressing dissatisfaction over the leadership change just months ahead of preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. In a statement issued on Monday, the GPCC acknowledged the discontent but attempted to project unity. "Re- 14 Borim bridge project faces fresh storm over forest nod CM rushes to Delhi again, Cong downplays backlash, cabinet buzz gains ground calls for unity against BJP AFTER MISSING MAY 26 DATE… PTI Act. The system is expected to detect offences including signal jumping, riding without helmets, triple-seat riding on two-wheelers, number plate violations and other traffic infractions identified through image analytics. “The locations form part of a much larger plan to eventually cover 92 sites across Goa under a public-private partnership model being executed by the Public Works Department under the Road Safety Authority,” the source revealed. In February, government officials had indicated that the first phase would become operational by month-end. However, during trial runs, the system reportedly generated a series of questionable challans, exposing flaws in the software's interpretation of vehicle records. One of the most serious concerns involved newly purchased vehicles being flagged 6 SPORTS AAP open to alliance, wants Cong to lead Opposition unity for 2027 PANAJI: Even as the Goa Congress grapples with growing dissent over its leadership change, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has signalled that it is unfazed by the developments, reiterating its willingness to forge a pre-poll alliance to take on the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections. AAP Goa chief Valmiki Naik said the party is willing to join hands with the Congress and other Opposition forces, but maintained that the initiative for any alliance must come from the Congress, given its status as the senior Opposition party in the State. >> See pg 3 ON PAGE 3 Candidates with money power not to get Cong tickets: Chodankar RGP seeks clarity from Congress on alliance to defeat BJP sentment after appointments is natural in any political party. We respect every viewpoint and will reach out to everyone. Our effort will be to unite every Congress worker and leader under one banner and move forward together. The mission is bigger than individuals. The mission is Goa," the GPCC said. The party reiterated that its primary objective remains defeating the BJP and forming the next government in Goa in >Continued on P9 likely to be much higher. The applicant argued that a report prepared by the Thomas Committee, appointed by the Forest Department, had identified Survey No. 28 of Queula village as a private forest. Since portions of this land and adjoining forest areas are proposed to be acquired for the bridge project, they contend that forest clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act is mandatory. >Continued on P9 US bombs Iran’s military sites, Tehran hits US troops in Kuwait PTI DUBAI The United States said Monday that it bombed radar and drone sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone over the weekend. Iran then said it targeted American soldiers in Kuwait with missiles, which US says it shot down. The nominal ceasefire between Iran and the US has been repeatedly tested with such back-and-forth attacks, even as officials from both countries try to negotiate an end to the war. It's not clear how close they are to a deal, and there is always the risk that an attack could derail those talks. In the meantime, Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies and driving up the price of fuel around the world, with far-reaching consequences. A cargo ship came under attack off Iraq Monday afternoon, the British military said. Fighting has also escalated between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, despite their nominal ceasefire. Indo-Nepal drug route busted, kingpin held in UP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he Crime Branch (CB) of the Goa Police arrested an alleged interstate heroin supplier from Uttar Pradesh, exposing narcotics network stretching from the Indo-Nepal border to Goa and operating through digital payments and long-distance bus services. Details shared by CB SP Rahul Gupta stated that the arrest followed an investigation that began on May 20, when CB officers raided an area near the wholesale fish market at Betim Jetty and detained two Nepalese nationals on charges of alleged drug trafficking. A total of 39.88 gms of heroin valued at about Rs 8.88 lakh, T DIGITAL MONEY, SLEEPER BUSES & HEROIN „„Probe begins after a raid near Betim Jetty wholesale fish market „„Two Nepalese nationals caught with 39.88 gm heroin „„Another Nepal national later arrested during probe „„Interrogation reveals links to wider interstate drug network „„Investigators find heroin orders placed through mobile communication „„Payments made via online banking, digital payment apps „„Drugs transported via parcel services on long-distance buses between Goa and Rupaidiha „„Tech surveillance, financial tracking helps police identify supplier along with a scooter and mobile phones, were seized. The two accused were identified as Arjun Bishwokarma, 36, and Chetkant Oli, 25. As the investigation progressed, CB officers arrested a third Nepalese national, Narishore Bhandari. Police said interrogation of the accused, coupled with analysis of digital records and financial transactions, pointed to a larger supply chain extending from the Indo-Nepal border region into Goa. “Heroin orders were allegedly placed with a supplier based in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh through mobile communication. Payments were made through online banking and digital payment platforms, after which the narcotics were allegedly dispatched through parcels sent on direct bus services operat- ing between Goa and Rupaidiha, a town on the Indo-Nepal border,” the CB said. Technical surveillance, financial tracking and examination of digital evidence led the team to identify the alleged supplier as Ekhlaq Ahmad, also known as Manna Malik, a resident of Bahraich. The SP said that Ahmad has several criminal cases registered against him, including offences related to murder, attempted murder, robbery, violations of the Arms Act and narcotics-related crimes. Acting on intelligence gathered during the probe, a CB team travelled to Uttar Pradesh and, with assistance >Continued on P9