log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2025 GOA Lokayukta will be named in 6 weeks, govt assures HC PANAJI: The Goa government has informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that the process to appoint a new Lokayukta is underway and will be completed within six weeks. The court accepted the assurance and disposed of the petition filed by TMC's Trajano D’Mello.  >> See pg 3 Mhadei panel to meet on Oct 24 PANAJI: The House Committee on Mhadei river diversion is set to hold its third meeting on October 24. The 12-member House Committee under WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar was reconstituted in September, last month. Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral has replaced ex Minister Alexio Sequeria on the committee. Major water pipeline bursts in Cuncolim PANAJI: A major water pipeline has burst at Naveband, Cuncolim, leading to the wastage of a significant amount of water. Authorities have warned that water supply to surrounding areas is likely to be affected. This comes shortly after a similar pipeline burst was reported at Saligao. Economics Nobel goes to three researchers STOCKHOLM: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics Monday for their research into the impact of innovation on economic growth and how new technologies replace older ones, a key economic concept known as creative destruction.  >> See pg 9 Hamas frees all Israeli hostages GAZA: Hamas on Monday released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza, as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The 20 men were being reunited with their families and expected to undergo medical checks.   >> See pg 9 >> See pg 5 Seven years on wheels, still standing tall in spirit WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 33.2 C 24.8 C 90% TIDES Low: 10.53 High: 05.14 22.43 15.43 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 117 Unsafe buildings: Collector's advisory raises more questions than answers IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA GIDC to now hold technical clearance meetings every week 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Rising obesity cases increasing challenges for reproductive health 8 Porvorim grinds to a halt as NH-66 trial closure sparks traffic mayhem  COMMUTERS STRANDED, VEHICLES PILE UP AT KEY JUNCTIONS  PWD, POLICE TO RETHINK PLAN AFTER 2-HOUR TEST BACKFIRES THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A two-hour trial run to test road closures on National Highway 66 for the ongoing elevated corridor project between Porvorim and Guirim turned into a traffic nightmare on Monday morning, leaving commuters stranded in long, unmoving queues for nearly three hours. The “trial closure,” undertaken to study traffic flow in case of a full shutdown of the stretch in future, backfired as vehicles piled up at key junctions including Arradi–Socorro, Chogm Road and O’Coqueiro Circle, causing chaos and disruption to office-goers, students and daily commuters. “The trial was conducted for two hours to understand the traffic pattern. Since it led to major congestion, the normal traffic movement was restored and will continue as before,” said a senior officer from the Traffic Department. Eyewitnesses and motorists reported bumper-to-bumper traffic for several kilometres, with movement at times coming to a complete standstill. MONDAY MADNESS: An aerial view of the heavy traffic jam in Porvorim on Monday.  “It took me over 40 minutes to move just a kilometre,” said one exasperated commuter who was caught in the snarl. A senior police official described the exercise as a “learning curve” for the authorities. “Obviously, we cannot go ahead with this plan in its current form. The State administration will meet again to explore other options for facilitating the elevated corridor work,” the officer said. Officials from the Public Works Department explained that full closure of specific NH66 sections is essential to allow the erection of the elevated corridor’s superstructure. According to plans, contractors have sought: 25 days’ complete closure from Ara- Coastal watchdog slams GTDC for Morjim beach destruction ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO STOP ALL EXCAVATION WORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The coastal regulatory body has pulled up Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for undertaking excavation, destruction of beach vegetation and changing the coastal morphology by causing major damage to Morjim beach ecosystem. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has now directed deployment of coastal police for regular patrolling to prevent recurrence of illegal activities in near future. The GCZMA noted that GTDC undertook work under guise of beautification, in close proximity of turtle nesting site, in complete violation of CRZ norms. During its meeting, the Authority pointed out that GTDC was provided NOC for beautification and providing basic amenities at Morjim beach promenade and were specially instructed not to undertake any digging. However, the site inspection by the experts confirmed sand excavation in violation of CRZ guidelines. “In this case large scale excavation has been done with „„GTDC conducted work excavation was carried out under pretext of “beautifiviolating CRZ guidelines cation” near a turtle nesting „„Large-scale excavation site, violating CRZ norms destroyed beach vegeta„„Had received tion, altered coastal NOC for beaumorphology, and tification and COASTAL caused signifi-to basic amenities cant damage BODY’S KEY the ecosystem with explicit NOTINGS within No Develinstructions not to dig opment Zone „„Regular pa„„Excavation, filltrolling by coastal police ing and levelling done needed to prevent future using two bulldozers/JCBs in illegal activities NDZ, 0–200 meters from the high tide line „„Experts confirm sand destruction of beach vegetation and change to the coastal morphology causing major damage to the ecosystem within a No Development Zone,” GCZMA noted while directing the GTDC to immediately halt all excavation work on site. The Authority noted that the work of excavation, filling and levelling of beach sand was being carried out by two bulldozers of JCB in NDZ between 0-200 meters from the high tide line of CRZ III as per CZMP 2011. “The two bulldozers were excavating beach sand at an average depth of 1.5 meters to 2 meters and filling and levelling the low lying beach area. The work carried out is spread over an area of approximately 2000 sq mtrs, which is at an approximate distance of 80 meters from the turtle >Continued on P5 di Junction to Holy Family Church Junction (P8–P16) and nearly 60 days’ complete closure from O’Coqueiro Junction to Shivaji Chowk (P55–P67). However, Monday’s chaos has prompted the authorities to reconsider. “Today’s trial run clearly showed that the current closure plan is unworkable,” said a PWD official. Narayan Pissurlenkar “We will now study phased or partial closures and find alternative methods to minimise disruption,” he added. With the elevated corridor project being one of North Goa’s most critical infrastructure undertakings, officials say revised traffic management plans will be prepared soon to avoid a repeat of Monday’s gridlock. SPORTS Indian bowlers break through stubborn Windies resistance 13 DRUNK TOURISTS ASSAULT POLICE IN CALANGUTE Eyewitnesses say duo claimed links to Bishnoi gang; FIR registered THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In yet another case of tourist misconduct, two tourists from Jaipur created a drunken ruckus in the heart of Calangute late Sunday night and went on to assault police personnel who tried to intervene. The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over lawlessness and public nuisance caused by unruly visitors in Goa’s coastal belt. According to Calangute Police, the duo, who were heavily intoxicated, created chaos at a hotel before officers were called around 10 pm. When police attempted to escort them to the station, the men turned violent inside the vehicle, grabbing the collars of officers and hurling abuses. Eyewitnesses said the tourists claimed to be members of the Bishnoi gang and boasted that “no one could take action against them.” Police, however, managed to overpower the duo. A FIR has been registered against both tourists under relevant sections of BNS for assaulting public servants and for causing public nuisance under the Calangute PSI suspended PANAJI: Police Sub-Inspector Yogesh Mandrekar, attached to the Calangute police station, has been suspended for failing to comply with instructions to carry his service pistol while on duty. The suspension comes following a brawl, in which two tourists from Rajasthan were arrested for obstructing police officers. influence of alcohol. “Goa is considered a tourist destination and people come here to enjoy, but it looks like even the police are not safe anymore,” said Sanika Devraj, a tourist from Maharashtra who witnessed the incident. “The police were only trying to talk to them, but the men turned back and attacked the officers,” she added. This latest episode comes just a day after a report in The Goan’s Monday edition highlighted how drunken brawls and rash behaviour by tourists are tarnishing Goa’s image as a peaceful holiday destination. IMD announces withdrawal of monsoon ahead of Goa schedule THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid intermittent bouts of rain, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa on Monday announced the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from Goa. The monsoon has retreated three days earlier this year, on October 13, compared to October 16 last year. “Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from Goa, October 13,” IMD said in a statement issued on Monday. The official withdrawal is October 14.  Despite the official withdrawal, the IMD has sounded a Yellow alert for Goa till Thursday, warning of thunderstorms and moderate showers that may continue over the next few days.  The prevailing weather is being influenced by a low-pressure area over west-central Arabian Sea and associated cyclonic circulation extended up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. As per IMD’s end-of-season report on September 30, Goa experienced a normal monsoon this year, with the State recording 104 per cent of the long-period average rainfall for the June–September season. MOMENT OF DEVOTION: A devotee reverently kisses the miraculous statue of Infant Jesus during the Fama at Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva on Monday. (More photos on pg 2)   Santosh Mirajkar Police seek nod for identification parade in Kankonkar assault case THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Panaji police have moved the Magistrate seeking permission to conduct a Test Identification Parade (TIP) in the September 18 assault case, which seriously injured activist Rama Kankonkar. Kankonkar, who will be required to identify his assailants, was discharged from the Goa Medical College and Hospital on October 11 after 23 days of treatment. In his statement to the police recorded on October 2, the activist had named Miguel (Araujo) as one of his attack- ers. In his statement -- which was also video-recorded -- he further stated that he could identify others if brought before him. Recounting the incident, Kankonkar had stated that as he was walking towards his >Continued on P5 Now, US tightens grip on OPT Forest dept flags Chapora dredging over turtle threat DREDGING students, Indians may be hit DANGER: DEPT’S THE GOAN I NETWORK STUDENTS USE OPT BEFORE GETTING H-1B VISA PTI WASHINGTON The Donald Trump administration is undertaking surprise inspections and site checks of foreign students currently undergoing the optional practical training (OPT) programme in the United States. This comes days after Republican Senator Jim Banks introduced the 'American Tech Workforce Act,' which proposed an end to the OPT system. Indian students undergoing their OPT are keeping a close watch, as it allows international students on F-1 visas to work for a temporary period in the US. Many Indians, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields, use OPT to gain practical experience before applying for an H-1B visa. The share of Indian students pursuing OPT has nearly doubled from 22.12 per cent in 2006-2007 to over 40 per cent in 2023-2024. Indians got 68.58 per cent of the H-1B visas quota issued by the US in the financial year 2023-2024 (October-September). Nearly 48 per cent of the students getting authorisations to participate in STEM OPT in 2024 were Indians. PANAJI he Forest Department has raised strong objections to the proposed maintenance dredging at the mouth of the Chapora River, citing the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study to assess its impact on the turtle nesting beaches of Morjim and Mandrem. In a submission to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the department has also highlighted that the Captain of Ports -- the project implementing agency -- intends to use the T CONCERNS Morjim, Mandrem beaches near the proposed dredging site, are designated turtle nesting beaches dredged sand for construction purpose, in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines, according to which sand mining through beach is banned. „„Dredging could affect stability of both the beaches „„Dept recommends EIA by a reputed institution to assess potential impacts „„Nearby river island is an important roosting site for migratory birds and a significant avifauna habitat „„Suggests an EIA study to evaluate potential effects of dredging on this site „„CoP advised to undertake comprehensive EIA studies to assess ecological impacts The CoP department had approached GCZMA for CRZ clearance to undertake maintenance dredging at the mouth of river Chapora. The Authority decided to seek comments from the Forest Department, before granting permission to CoP, to understand whether there could be any disturbance to the turtle nesting sites of Mandrem and Morjim in the course of carrying out the dredging activities. The Forest Department informed GCZMA that Morjim beach, which is located near the proposed dredging site, is a designated turtle nesting beach and it is apprehended that dredging in the river may affect the stability of the nearby beaches, including the Morjim beach. “It is therefore requested that the GCZMA may advise the CoP department to undertake EIA study through a reputed institution to find out the impact of the project >Continued on P5