log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 74 Benaulim stretch of western bypass turns hazardous with cracks 2 3 GOA Goa matches M’rashtra, Delhi to top per-capita MF investments Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Effective yoga asanas all diabetics should try Railways announce commissioning of Hospet-Vasco double-track line MINISTRY SAYS TRANSPORT OF ORE, COAL, STEEL WILL BE FASTER; GOA, HAMPI TOURISM TO ALSO GET A BOOST ON FAST TRACK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Union Railway Ministry has announced commissioning of 312 kms Hospet-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco Da Gama, south west railway line doubling project, which according to them will speed up transportation of iron ore, coal and steel apart from boosting tourism in Goa and Hampi. The Ministry, on its social media handle, announced commissioning of total 312 km long railway line of the total 363 kms. According to sources, the work is completed in Karnataka region, while Goa is pending due to forest clearance, as the line passes through the protected areas of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. Approved in the 2010-2011 Railway budget, the Hospet-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco Da Gama doubling project that runs to a length of 363 km between Karnataka and >> pg 6 Goa, is being implemented by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). The Ministry further said that the project will speed up coal, iron ore and steel transportation in the regions apart from boosting tourism to Goa and Hampi. Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra stand to benefit when the second railway line is in place. It would also help in running additional trains to New Delhi.  The Supreme Court had in May, 2022 set aside the Nation Board of Wildlife’s (NBWL) clearance for the double-tracking of the railway line from Castlerock, Karnataka, to Kulem, Goa and directed the RVNL to conduct fresh assessment of environmental impact and submit proposal „„Double tracking project runs to a length of 363 km between Karnataka and Goa „„312 kms Hospet-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco Da Gama completed „„Karnataka, Goa, Andhra & Maharashtra stand to benefit when the second railway line is in place „„Will also help in running additional trains to New Delhi  „„Being implemented by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited to NBWL for consideration as per law. The Apex court directions were based on the central empowered committee’s (CEC) report that termed the project “inefficient”, “unjustified” and “potentially destructive”. Goa had obtained Stage II approval to the project in 9 INFO April 2022 for diversion of 138.39 ha of forest land for the project. However, in the view of the Apex Court order, entire approvals were kept in abeyance. Thereafter, the abeyance order in respect of proposal related to diversion 1.908 ha for the Kulem-Sanvordem stretch which falls in private forest was revoked as the same was not part of the SC order. The State earlier, this year, approached the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) seeking revocation of abeyance order on diversion of 15.6 ha of forest for the Kulem-Kalem section of railway track doubling project. However, the same was rejected directing RVNL to undertake detail analysis of the impact of proposed project on the biodiversity and ecology of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. SPORTS CAFA Nations Cup: Blue Tigers brace for Iran test today RTI bares Anjuna-Vagator’s unabated loud music menace n DESPITE 17 CASES NO CHARGESHEETS SO FAR n REPEAT OFFENDERS WALK FREE AS CASES STALL AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA The Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt, long known for its nightlife and pulsating parties, has also earned notoriety for something else -- unchecked noise pollution. Despite repeated assurances from authorities and several interventions by the courts, the sound of blaring music continues to echo across villages deep into the night. Fresh data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals a telling story. Between 2021 and the first week of August 2025, the Anjuna Police registered 33 cases against various clubs and restaurants for violating noise pollution norms. Yet, only a little over  30 per cent  have been chargesheeted. Repeat offenders, same story The list of violators includes some of the most popular and high-profile party CASES RISE, CHARGESHEETS LAG „„2025 (till August 10): 17 cases registered; none chargesheeted „„2024: 10 cases registered;  6 chargesheeted „„2023: 3 cases registered; all 3 chargesheeted „„2022: 1 case registered; chargesheet filed „„2021: 2 cases registered; chargesheets filed in both „„The numbers highlight both inconsistency and inaction. While there was near-total compliance in 2021, 2022 & 2023, in the other two years there was a sharp rise in complaints but a worrying lack of follow-up action. spots in the belt: Hill Top, Salud, Club 9 Bar, Raeeth, Thalassa by Cliff, Hotel W Goa, Diaz, Noah, Romeo Lane, Pirates Café, Pappi Chulo Goa, Sanngria, and Gypsea Restaurant. Several establishments have been booked multiple times.  Diaz  tops the list with  four cases, while  Club 9 Bar, Raeeth, and Thalassa by Cliff  each face  three cases.  Hotel W Goa and Noah have two cases each. Yet, despite being repeat Goa records alarming rise in Class IX, X student dropouts IN SHORT >> Indian NGO wins Magsaysay award NEW DELHI: An Indian non-profit working for the education of out-of-school girls in remote villages is among the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. ‘Educate Girls,’ has made history as the first Indian organisation to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, a statement from the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said in Manila.  >> See pg 7 India braces for wet September NEW DELHI: India is likely to receive above-normal rainfall in September, capping a season that has already seen several disasters triggered by heavy downpours in many parts of the country. IMD said the average rainfall in September is likely to be more. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s school dropout rate at Class IX and X reported a sharp rise as it stood at 8.1 per cent, almost at par with the national average of 8.2 per cent at the secondary level for the year 2024-25. The dropout rate was at 7.8 per cent in 2023-24. According to the Union Education Ministry’s UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) data for the year 2024-25, boys in Goa are dropping out of school at higher rates than girls at preparatory and secondary level, while at middle level, the contribution is equal. The dropout rate shows the percentage of students leaving school before completing a level—Primary (classes 1–5); upper primary (classes 6–8); and secondary (class 9–10). At the secondary level, the dropout rate stood at 8.1 per cent, of which 10.9 per cent comprises of boys while 5.1 per cent of girls.  In 2023, 24, the dropout rate had decreased to 7.8 per cent from 8.8 per cent in 2022-23. At the preparatory and mid- >> See pg 3  dle level, the dropout rate has witnessed an alarming drop as compared to 2023-24. This year, the dropout rate at preparatory stage remained at 0.4 per cent as against 1.0 per cent, while at the middle level, it dropped from 1.1 per cent to 0.8 per cent. The boys leaving the school at the primary level was around 0.6 per cent while at middle school it is 0.8 per cent, on the other hand, while girls maintained equal share with boys at middle school, at primary level they contribute only 0.2 per cent. The transition rate from preparatory stage to middle stage, reported marginal decline from 99.7 per cent in 2023-24 to 98.6 per cent this year, while 99 per cent students cleared middle class to enter secondary stage as against 97 per cent last year. At the same time, though, >Continued on P5 ‘Cases only on paper’ For locals who have endured sleepless nights for years, the numbers don’t come as a surprise. What hurts more is the lack of deterrence. “It’s obvious that almost >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK 29% schools fail to register for Swachh Evam programme PANAJI: Nearly 29 per cent of the government and government aided schools in Goa have failed to register for a mandatory programme of Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) 2025-26, as the deadline to register ended on August 31. Moreover, only 104 schools, of the total registered 1,055 have completed the survey that empowers them to undertake self-assessment for a clean, green and inclusive school environment. The Union Education Ministry had directed all the States to ensure that the affiliated schools are registered on the SHVR portal or using mobile app by August 31 and simultaneously, the survey process is completed by September 30. violators, these clubs continue to host parties with booming sound systems, often pushing decibel levels way beyond permissible limits. 12-year-old boy dies of electric shock trying to retrieve ball DATA SHOWS FIGURES NEAR NAT AVERAGE GST meet, auto sales, IPO rush to guide D-Street this week 12 FIVE DAYS OF FAITH: Devotees at Adpai-Ponda bid farewell to Lord Ganesha as they carry the idol in a vibrant procession for immersion. The five-day Chaturthi celebrations came to an end on Sunday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Unity, tradition mark Chaturthi Muslim boy leads puja, aarti at Mesta home VASCO: In a heartwarming display of unity and togetherness, Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the Mesta family residence in Murgao Avenue building witnessed a moving moment when a young Muslim boy, Owais Mehboob Shaikh, performed the Aarti and Puja with devotion. The gesture was welcomed by the family and community members alike, reflecting how festivals can truly transcend religious boundaries and bring people together highlighting the spirit of inclusiveness. >> See pg 5 2 families, 2 Ganesha idols, one tradition VASCO: In the heart of Vaddem, Vasco, a rare and inspiring tradition continues to thrive. For generations, the Kavlekar and Kundaikar families have been worshipping two Ganesha idols under one roof at their ancestral residence, a practice that has stood as a powerful symbol of unity, cultural heritage, and unwavering devotion. What makes this tradition unique is that despite having two separate idols, the families have never allowed differences to creep in. >> See pg 5 VASCO A 12-year-old boy lost his life in a tragic incident of electrocution at his residence in Zuarinagar, Sancoale. The deceased has been identified as Mustagahmed Suranagi, originally from Haveri, Karnataka. According to Verna police, the boy was attempting to retrieve a ball that had rolled under a refrigerator when he accidentally came into contact with live electricity. He collapsed on the spot. Family members rushed him to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Cansaulim, where doctors declared him brought dead. Verna police carried out a panchanama and preserved the body at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao, for inquest panchanama and medico-legal formalities. Police confirmed that the death occurred accidentally while the boy was playing at home. A case of unnatural death has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is being conducted by PSI Rajdatt Arsekar, under the supervision of PI Anand Shirodkar. Modi, Xi agree to boost trade, US giants face Swadeshi heat amid Trump tariffs address border differences FROM PEPSI TO McDONALD’S… AGENCIES BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE ROLE IN GLOBAL ECONOMY PTI TIANJIN Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work towards a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” solution to the India-China border issue and pledged to expand trade and investment ties recognising the role of the two economies to stabilise global trade. In their wide-ranging talks, the two leaders largely focused on boosting trade and investment ties, a move that came against the backdrop of disruptions in global trade triggered by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs including a whopping 50 per cent on Indian goods. In the meeting held on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Modi underlined the importance of peace and tranquility on the border for the continued development of India-China ties and said New Delhi is committed to advancing the relations based on “mutual trust, respect”. The two leaders vowed to expand bilateral trade and investment ties, reduce trade deficit and to expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues, according to an Indian readout. NEW DELHI wave of anti-US sentiment has gripped India since US President Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on the South Asian nation. As a result of this, American multinationals such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, McDonald’s face a threat of being boycotted. Yoga guru Ramdev has advised Indians to boycott all American products over Trump’s tariffs on India. “Not a single Indian should be seen at the counters of Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, or McDonald’s. There should be A India Post suspends bookings of all postal services to US NEW DELHI: India Post has suspended all categories of mail operations destined to the US in the absence of clarity over new rules issued by the US Customs Department. “In continuation of the Public Notice dated August 22, the Department has reviewed suspension of booking of mail to the US. In view of the ongoing inability of carriers to transport US-bound mail and in the absence of defined regulatory mechanisms, it has been decided to completely suspend booking of all categories of mail, including letters,” the statement said. such a massive boycott,” he said, adding, “If this happens, chaos will ensue in America.” Anti-American boycotts are already going on in other parts of the world such as France, the United Kingdom and Canada. With a population of 1.5 billion, India’s boycott of US Indians travelling to US decline NEW DELHI: For the first time since 2001, excluding the Covid-19 years, the number of Indians visiting the US has fallen. 2.1 lakh Indians travelled to US in June 2025, which is an 8% drop compared to last year, according to the US department. companies could cause massive losses and serious challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to buy and use “swadeshi” or homegrown goods. He said, “Anyone who wants to make India the third-largest economy in the world, any political party, any leader, should speak in the country’s interest and instill in people that they need to resolve to buy ‘swadeshi’... When we decide to buy anything, there should be only one measure: We are going to buy those things which an Indian has sweated to make. Anything that has been made by the people of India, using the skill of the people of India, by the sweat of the people of India, is ‘swadeshi’ for us. We will have to adopt the ‘vocal for local’ mantra,” he explained.”