log on to thegoan.net SUNDAY JULY 6, 2025 REQUIRED FOR DIGITAL MEDIA VIDEOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHER CONTENT CREATOR FOR PRINT MEDIA SENIOR REPORTER - Email CV to editor@thegoan.net >> SEE PG 2 BRIDGING THE VEG GAP: WHERE GOA STANDS MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Corporal punishment: Correcting behaviour or creating trauma? World Chocolate Day: A sweet celebration from bean to bliss Grill seeker’s paradise found ‘There’ Grants reverted, lands auctioned: Unfolding the Comunidade crisis 11 IN SHORT >> IT Dept to fast track telecom infra in Goa PANAJI: In a move to accelerate rollout of digital infra across the State, the govt has appointed Dept of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications as the State Designated Department under the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024.  >> See pg 3 Arms dealer Bhandari declared fugitive NEW DELHI: A Delhi court declared UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari a fugitive economic offender. @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 19 Instagram.com/thegoanonline INDIA SIGHT VICTORY AFTER GILL BURIES ENGLAND WITH RUNS >>8 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Vehicle sales register huge dip, but EVs race ahead TRANSPORT DEPT BLAMES IT ON BUYER SENTIMENT THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa has witnessed a sharp decline in overall vehicle registrations in 2025 so far, with figures showing less than half the total recorded in 2024. Ironically, even electric vehicle (EV) registrations have dipped massively despite the government’s sustained push for greener mobility -- except for one segment that appears to be defying the trend. The Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways data has revealed that 84,311 vehicles were registered across categories in 2024. In contrast, only 38,989 registrations have been recorded in the first six months of 2025 (also including the first four days of July) -- a significant shortfall. Interestingly, while registrations across fuel categories of petrol, diesel, hybrids and electric have dropped, it is the Pure Electric Vehicles (EVs) „„84,311 vehicles registered across categories in 2024, in contrast, only 38,989 registrations recorded in the first six months of 2025 „„Registrations across petrol, diesel, hybrids and electric drop „„Pure Electric Vehicles see surprising mid-year surge „„Registrations for Battery Operated Vehicles too shrink from 9,026 registrations in 2024 to just 1,493 in 2025 so far that have seen a surprising mid-year surge. Petrol vehicles, the most dominant category, fell from 52,955 in 2024 to 24,169 so far this year. Diesel vehicles saw a dip from 5,330 to 2,505 dur- THE GOAN I NETWORK OLD GOA/ VALPOI In two separate incidents on Saturday, portions of false ceilings collapsed at Goa Medical College’s casualty entrance and at Valpoi Community Health Centre’s registration area. Fortunately, no injuries occurred at both the places. Luckily, no one was present at the GMC casualty entrance where the ceiling collapsed. A patient informed The Goan that just after he had crossed the area, the false ceiling came crashing down. Usually, patients and their relatives have to pass through this area to go to the casualty. When The Goan visited the area, the workers were busy in repairing the collapsed portion. At the Valpoi Community Health Centre, the incident occurred around 8.30 am in the area where patient registration is usually conducted. A portion of the false ceiling at entrance of GMC casualty which collapsed on Saturday morning.  Manuel Vaz  Portion of staircase collapses at Mapusa market building >> See pg 5 Fortunately, the counter had not yet opened at the time, which helped prevent a potential tragedy. Hospital staff later cleared the fallen portion of the false ceiling. When contacted, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said repair work would be taken up as soon as possible. “A proposal in this regard has been submitted to the government and repair work on the ceiling will be carried our as soon as approvals are obtained,” said Rane. „„Toll rate on structured highway stretches will now be determined based on two values „„Ten times the length of structure(s) added to rest of the highway section or „„Five times the total length of the section of NH whichever is lesser Smart City’s endless saga: Projects continue to drag „„Pure EVs — battery-only powered vehicles — bucked the overall slump. While only 2,462 were registered in the entire calendar year of 2024, the number has already touched 3,270 in the first half of 2025 BOTH SITES NARROWLY ESCAPE TRAGEDIES THE NEW RULES Two minor girls kidnapped from Cuncolim, cops launch manhunt PURE EVs ZOOM Scare at GMC, Valpoi CHC as false ceilings collapse NEW DELHI The government has reduced the toll rates up to 50% for sections of National Highways that have structures like tunnels, bridges, flyovers or elevated stretches, a move which will lower travelling cost for motorists. User charges at fee plazas on National Highways are collected as per NH Fee Rules, 2008. The Ministry has made amendment to 2008 rules and notified a new method or formula for calculating toll charges. “The rate of fee for use of a section of national highway comprising of structure or structures shall be calculated by adding ten times the length of structure or structures to the length of the section of national highway excluding the length of structure or structures, or five times the total length of section of national highway, whichever is lesser,” said the notification. ‘Structure’ means an independent bridge, tunnel or flyover or elevated highway. To vehicle segment (Battery Operated Vehicles or BOVs), which includes multiple sub-categories, shrank from 9,026 registrations in 2024 to just 1,493 in 2025 so far. However, Pure EVs — bat- „„High interest rates on auto loans „„Cautious buyer sentiment „„Conscious shift among some consumers to reduce their carbon footprint ing the same period. Petrol hybrids slipped from 3,186 to 1,222, while diesel hybrids declined marginally from 51 to 20 during the same period last and this year. Even the broader electric AGENCIES tery-only powered vehicles — bucked the overall slump. While only 2,462 were registered in the entire calendar year of 2024, the number has already touched 3,270 in the first half of 2025 -- a 32.8 percent increase. Transport department officials attributed the overall slump to a mix of factors including high interest rates on auto loans, cautious buyer sentiment and a conscious shift among some consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. “The jump in Pure EVs is encouraging. We are seeing growing interest, particularly among the youth and urban commuters, who are more open to adopting electric mobility,” an official said. With six more months to go in the year, the authorities will be closely watching whether overall vehicle demand picks up post-monsoon and during the festive season. KEY FACTORS MORTH DATA: FACTS & FIGURES Centre reduces toll charges by up to 50% on highways THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In a shocking incident, two minor girls were reportedly kidnapped by unknown individuals from the jurisdiction of the Cuncolim Police Station on Friday morning. The incident took place around 7:30 am, when the complainant's 15-year-old daughter was abducted from their residence. According to the complaint filed at the Cuncolim Police Station, another 15-year-old girl, the daughter of the complainant’s neighbour, was also abducted from her lawful guardianship around the same time. The Cuncolim Police have registered an FIR under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act. A manhunt has been launched to trace the missing girls. Further investigation is being led by PSI Kishor Velip of the Cuncolim Police Station. explain the new toll charges, the ministry has cited examples. In one of the examples, it said that if a section of a national highway has a total length of 40km, comprising of structure alone, the minimum length shall be computed: ‘10 x 40 (ten times length of structure) = 400km or five times the total length of section of a national highway = 5 x 40 = 200km’. According to the extant rules, users pay ten times the regular toll for every km of structure on NHs. COMMUTERS STILL NAVIGATING POTHOLED ROADS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI While repeated affidavits and assurances are being submitted before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited’s (IPSCDL) projects have been unending. The June 30 cut-off date for landscaping and beautification was meant to mark the final phase of IPSCDL’s ambitious smart city overhaul of Panaji. But as July begins, Panaji residents and commuters are still navigating cracked roads, potholed roads and incomplete sideways at a few locations. The situation stands in sharp contrast to the polished narrative in the high court and press releases issued previously. Among the most glaring examples is the St Inez junction, where potholes and uneven surfaces have posed a IS THIS SMART WORK? „„Potholes, uneven surfaces pose risk at St Inez junction „„Neuginagar to Bhatlem stretch -- yet to be taken up -- also struggling „„Several stretches show mismatched road heights, abrupt gaps „„IPSCDL’s own website lists several ongoing works that appear far from completed „„Traffic signals installed across Panaji are non-functional risk, particularly in the rains. Some other parts under the project besides the Neuginagar to Bhatlem stretch -yet to be taken up - also struggling Jaques: Work done as committed to HC PANAJI: IPSCDL CEO Sandip Jaques who recently took over the charge from Sanjit Rodrigues, told The Goan that work has been completed as per commitment given to the High Court. Replying to query regarding ongoing projects, he conceded that the projects are "definitely ongoing as high court was monitoring the completion of certain works which have been effectively completed as per commitment given." with similar issues. Several stretches show mismatched road heights and >Continued on P6 Centre cracks down on unsafe 2 decades on, Thackeray cousins finally mend fences helmets, orders States to act PTI MANDATES ONLY BIS-CERTIFIED HELMETS PTI NEW DELHI The Centre has asked States to take strict action on manufacturers and retailers selling sub-standard helmets to ensure the safety of two-wheeler riders. "The Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) appeal to consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets," an official statement said on Saturday. The department also called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification, it added. "With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount," the department said, adding that wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It pointed out that the sale of sub-standard helmets compromises safety. A Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards for all two-wheeler riders. As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. "The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents," the statement said. To enforce quality standards, BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. MUMBAI hiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he and MNS head Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united as the cousins shared a political stage for the first time after two decades on the issue of Marathi identity and “imposition” of the Hindi language. Addressing a “victory” rally in Worli to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJPled government, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together. “We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai S Raj and Uddhav Thackeray at the ‘victory’ rally in Worli on Saturday. civic body and Maharashtra,” he said, evoking loud cheers from the crowd in the packed NSCI Dome. The elections to the high-profile civic body in Mum- bai, which Sena considers its citadel and homeground, and other municipal corporations are due in coming months. Speaking ahead of Uddhav, the only person seated on the stage, Raj quipped that CM Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do what Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and others couldn’t by bringing the two cousins together. After he quit Shiv Sena in 2005 over apparent differences with his cousin, Raj Thackeray formed the MNS and has been projecting it as the true champion of the cause of the sons-of-the-soil. The parties, led by the cousins, had since contested elections against each other notwithstanding the intermittent calls for reunion raised by certain quarters. As the BJP expanded its footprint on the political landscape of Maharashtra and joined hands with Eknath Shinde, who split Shiv Sena in 2022, and NCP, the chorus for the reunion of the Thackeray brothers grew shriller over the last four months. The government’s flip-flop on the three-language policy and the introduction of Hindi as a third language provided a much-needed common cause. On Saturday, the political rancour seems dissipated, at least on the face of it, into the bonhomie at the event. The coming together of the estranged cousins-turned-comrades has not only enthused cadres of both parties, but it could also give a lifeline to both parties, which are struggling to regain their footing after drubbings in the assembly polls last year.