log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 280 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 LIVE SMART »PAGE 13 SPORTS »PAGE 8 Def Leppard delivers a night of timeless rock Bitter chicory’s sweet charm Why we overshare Wirtz stars in seven-goal thriller for Germany Pakistan to make their own Dhurandhar? Slow yoga for mind and mankind Changes in diet, exercise and supplements can elevate mood Dhoni set to miss first two weeks of IPL >> SEE PG 2 DIRTY REALITY: GOA’S SEWAGE CHALLENGE 9 MAGAZINE MAGAZ After Curchorem scandal... Young voices on trauma, toxic trends & justice Gold volatility and how it has impacted Goa Goa’s village names-4: Hidden stories behind them An underlying conspiracy; backed by legal advice 11 ‘Checked by Doctor’: 40K women screened Chicory is a wonder herb with medicinal properties and a fibre called inulin Govt bets big on piped gas as LPG supply pressure mounts PUSHES TO FAST-TRACK PNG EXPANSION IN URBAN AREAS PTI sion in the country, including delays in municipal permissions, right of way (RoW) approvals, and high restoration charges. States flagged the need for rationalising or waiving such charges and adopting time- bound clearance systems. There was a broad consensus on a phased transition from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to PNG in the urban areas with the existing infrastructure, backed by consumer awareness measures to avoid MAPUSA: A 64-year-old man from Camurlim has been booked on charges of beating and later killing a stray dog by throwing it into a river near the Camurlim Jetty. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 33.7 C 24.1 C 82% TIDES Low: 03.03 14.25 High: 07.43 21.29 Prime suspect arrested, 3 detained THE GOAN I NETWORK service disruptions. Khattar called for a mission-mode approach to expand the PNG coverage, stressing the role of cities as economic growth engines. Hardeep Puri highlighted the evolving global energy landscape and stressed the importance of strengthening the PNG infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. The petroleum minister encouraged states and the urban local bodies (ULBs) to actively promote PNG adoption, particularly in areas where infrastructure is already available. On the concerns arising from LPG disruptions, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi emphasised maintaining an uninterrupted supply of essential fuels, curbing misinformation and preventing black marketing. In the statement, the housing and urban affairs ministry said that the states and ULBs have agreed to streamline approvals, designate nodal officers and enhance coordination among departments. A post-meeting breakout session between city gas distribution entities and municipal commissioners identified city-specific hurdles and pending approvals. Bandhara impasse persists, crucial meet with CM fails Ship with 47,000 tonnes of LPG reaches Gujarat NEW DELHI: Indian-flagged vessel ‘Jag Vasant’ carrying 47,000 metric tonnes (MT) of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat’s Jamnagar after crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia crisis, an official said on Saturday. MT Jag Vasant was anchored at 8.30 pm on Friday, according to a statement from Deendayal Port Authority, of which Vadinar port is a part. PTI Fake call centre busted, 7 arrested Man booked for killing stray dog IPL betting trip turns deadly, one murdered Falling missile debris in Abu Dhabi leaves 5 Indians injured NEW DELHI The Centre on Saturday pushed for rapid expansion of PNG networks across urban areas in the country amid LPG supply concerns arising out of the West Asia conflict. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar outlined key priorities, including a single-window clearance system, integration of gas pipelines into urban planning, and improved last-mile connectivity. An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new piped natural gas (PNG) connections was also highlighted during a roundtable attended by Khattar, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, state representatives and industry stakeholders. According to a statement issued by the housing and urban affairs ministry, officials highlighted the key bottlenecks slowing PNG expan- „„Single-window clearance system „„Integration of gas pipelines in urban planning „„Improved lastPLAN OF to expand PNG mile connectivity ACTION: KEY coverage „„Target of 50 PRIORITIES „„Stressing on lakh new PNG role of cities as connections economic growth engines „„Coordination with States, industry stakehold„„Strengthening PNG infra ers to enhance energy security, resilience „„Phased transition from LPG to PNG in urban areas „„Push to encourage with existing infra States, ULBs to actively promote PNG adoption „„Mission-mode approach BICHOLIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said around 40,000 women have so far undergone free health checkups under the ‘Checked by Doctor’, a special healthcare initiative for women. He was speaking during the inauguration of various health schemes at the Community Health Centre in Sankhali.   >> See pg 6 PANAJI: In a late-night operation, the Cyber Crime police busted an alleged fraudulent call centre operating from a rented bungalow in Corlim and arrested seven persons accused of cheating foreign nationals under the guise of loan services.  >> See pg 3 Emotional cost of unfiltered expression in the age of constant connection SILENT TRIBUTE: Spectators gather near stands as 11 seats remain vacant in tribute to the 2025 stampede victims, before the start of the 2026 IPL T20 match on Saturday. Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the inaugural match. (Report on pg 8) US readies for ground offensive, sends 3,500 marines; Iran warns Gulf nations PTI DUBAI The United States has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East, with 3,500 marines and sailors arriving in the region as Washington continues to expand its options in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, warned Gulf nations that Tehran will not initiate attacks but will respond forcefully if its infra centres are targeted. The deployment was confirmed by US Central Command, which said the forces arrived on March 27 aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7). In a post on X, CENTCOM said the America-class amphibious assault ship is serving as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, a force made up of around 3,500 sailors along with aircraft, strike fighters, and amphibious tactical assets. DUBAI Five Indians were injured in the UAE by the fall of debris in the vicinity of the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) following interception of a ballistic missile by the country's air defence system, local media reported on Saturday. The Abu Dhabi Media Office in a social media post said the authorities confirmed that the incident resulted in injuries to five individuals of Indian nationality, ranging from moderate to minor. “The competent authorities urge the public to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid circulating rumours or unverified information,” it said. Earlier, it reported that authorities were responding to two fire incidents in the vicinity of KEZAD, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a missile. On Thursday, an Indian national was among two killed in the UAE when debris of missiles intercepted fell on a street. MAPUSA A trip to Goa for alleged IPL betting turned deadly early Saturday, when a 27-year-old man from Surat was stabbed to death at a resort in Tiwaiwada-Calangute. Police have arrested the prime suspect and detained three others. According to reports, five men had travelled to the State and booked four rooms at a guesthouse. Around 6 am, an argument broke out after the victim, Rajbhar Ravinarayan Ramdarshanbhai, allegedly made an offensive remark about the accused’s wife. The accused, Komal Uttam Baraskar (28) from Madhya Pradesh, allegedly attacked him with a knife. Injured, the victim tried to flee by jumping out and running across a nearby resort, but was chased and stabbed multiple times in the chest and stomach. He died on the spot. Baraskar then allegedly HOW IT HAPPENED „„Group of 5 had come to bet on IPL „„Stayed at guesthouse in Calangute „„Victim makes offensive remark about accused’s wife „„Fight turns violent, accused stabs victim „„Victim tries to escape, chased and stabbed again „„Victim dies on the spot dumped the knife in a swimming pool and fled with accomplices. On receiving information about the incident, Calangute Police Inspector Lakshi Amonkar and a police team rushed to the spot and >Continued on P6 LOCALS OPPOSE REPLACEMENT PROJECT, WARN OF INTENSIFYING AGITATION THE GOAN I NETWORK SANGUEM A high-level meeting on Saturday to resolve the ongoing agitation by residents against the proposed bandhara at Mirabag-Sanvordem failed to arrive at any immediate and concrete solution. According to Sanket Bhandari, the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, was attended by Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Speaker and local MLA Ganesh Gaonkar and local representatives. “The government’s proposal to drop the bandhara component while proceeding with a Jackwell pumping project was firmly rejected by the protesters, who reiterated that their primary demand is the complete scrapping of the bandhara,” said Bhandari. “They have insisted that any alternative proposal will only be considered after receiving a written assurance PROT EST E RS STA N D FI RM „„Reject govt’s proposal of dropping bandhara and continuing with a Jackwell pumping project „„Demand full cancellation of bandhara project „„Want written assurance from govt before considering alternatives „„Demand official cancellation of project before ending protest „„Argue bandhara and Jackwell are separate projects, requiring a fresh process „„Call for new, transparent site selection with community involvement „„Waned of escalating protests to Azad Maidan, Panaji from the government confirming its cancellation.” At the heart of the issue is a deep mistrust between the villagers and authorities. Protesters alleged that they had previously been misled by verbal assurances on at least three occasions, where work was temporarily halted but later resumed under different pretexts. As a result, the agitators are demanding a formal written confirmation cancelling the Rs 400 crore project before calling off their protest. They further argued that the bandhara and Jackwell components are technically and financially two different concepts, making it necessary to scrap the entire process and initiate a fresh, transparent >Continued on P6 Centre extends incentives for 2 new floating jetties to decongest Chorao crossing SMOOTH SAILING ON CARDS two-wheeler EVs up to July THE GOAN I NETWORK UPDATES PM E-DRIVE SCHEME WITH AMENDMENTS PTI NEW DELHI The government has revised the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to set new deadlines and unit caps for e-scooters and e-rickshaws. The Centre has revised the guidelines under the Rs 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme, whereby electric two-wheelers registered till July 31, 2026 and electric three-wheelers (e-rickshaws and e-carts) reg- istered till March 31, 2028, shall be eligible for incentives. The maximum ex-factory price to avail an incentive is capped at Rs 1.5 lakh for electric two-wheelers and Rs 2.5 lakh for electric three-wheelers (e-rickshaws and e-carts). The PM E-DRIVE Scheme is a fund-limited scheme. The total payout under the Scheme shall be limited to the scheme outlay of Rs 10,900 crore. "In case the funds for the Scheme or its relevant sub-components are exhausted prior to the terminal date of the Scheme, i.e. March 31, 2028, then the Scheme or its relevant sub-components will be closed accordingly, i.e. no further claims will be entertained," the Heavy Industries Ministry said in a notification. However, the terminal date for registered electric two-wheelers shall be July 31, 2026, the notification added. A terminal date under a scheme refers to the final deadline or cut-off date by which a specific action must be completed. PANAJI ith ferry traffic mounting and existing infrastructure straining to keep pace, the River Navigation Department (RND) has moved to expand docking capacity at Chorao, inviting e-tenders for two additional floating jetty pontoons near the Chodan ferry ramp. The proposed project, estimated at around Rs 1.5 crore, is likely to ease congestion at one of the steadily busy ferry crossings, where officials have stated that the lone existing pontoon is no longer sufficient to handle the volume of vessels. The tender, which covers W „„Floating jetty pontoons to come up near Chodan ferry ramp „„To help dock additional boat on standby „„Project cost estimated at around Rs 1.5 crore „„E-tender to be opened on April 21 „„New pontoons to match existing 12-metre structure „„Structure to be RCC-encapsulated polystyrene core for durability „„To be linked to shore via marine-grade aluminium gangway „„Safety features include bollards, handrails for safer movement „„To reduce waiting time, improve turnaround „„To ensure smoother boarding for commuters & tourists the design, construction, supply, installation and commissioning of Inland Register-approved floating jetties, will be opened on April 21. “The present one is not sufficient to dock ferry boats, as we always have one docked on standby. We need to dock an additional standby,” RND Director Vikram Raje Bhosale told The Goan, explaining the need for e-tender. The new pontoons will mirror the existing 12-metre structure that had cost Rs 96.6 lakh. Built using RCC-encapsulated polystyrene cores, the floating jetty will be connected to the shore by a marine-grade aluminium gangway, with bollards and handrails to improve commuter safety and movement. Currently, two Ro-Ro ferries and three conventional boats operate multiple daily trips from Chorao. The RND stated the additional pontoons will not only reduce wait times for vessels but also improve turnaround efficiency, offering smoother boarding for both commuters and tourists. Panaji-Betim route to get new ferries In another upgrade, the busy Panaji-Betim ferry route will receive two new “cruise-like” vessels in the first week of April, replacing older conventional boats that have faced technical >Continued on P6