Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that all of Goa’s abandoned mining quarries will be fenced by the upcoming monsoon season in an effort to prevent drowning incidents. He also stated that the government is raising awareness about people’s safety, including that of tourists, at various tourist destinations like beaches and waterfalls.
Sawant went on, “We regularly issue orders to prevent people from visiting the waterfalls and going to swim in the beaches.” Lifeguards have also been stationed at beaches and in close proximity to a few waterfalls.
“But people find more recent waterfalls,” he said, arguing that the government is unable to station security guards at every location.
The Chief Minister also informed the House that signs warning of the risks associated with swimming will be erected by the government close to abandoned mining quarries and waterfalls.
In order to support the responding agencies during emergency situations, the government has trained 330 Aapda Mitra and 70 Aapda Sakhis through the directorate of fire and emergency services, according to Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate.
Prior to this, Congress Member of Legislative Altone D’Costa had brought up a relevant inquiry during Question Hour, pointing out that despite the state government forming a special committee last year to stop these kinds of incidents, people continued to drown.
He also wanted to know how successful the special committee was. Yuri Alemao, the leader of the opposition, said that the State Disaster Management Authority is a disaster in and of itself.
