Page 5 - Goa

1 in 3 Goa taxis now local app-based as state bars outside aggregators

Nearly one out of three taxis operating in Goa are enrolled on the local app-based platforms in the coastal state, with most of them catering to tourists, official data shows. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's recent announcement that his government will not allow cab aggregators from outside Goa has raised hopes for the local app-based mobility platforms, which have been in the market for some time now. As per government figures, out of the total 12,000 tourist taxis operating in the state, 5,000 are on board the app-based platforms, mostly with two companies -- Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App. The Goa Miles alone has a fleet of 4,000-odd taxis on board. Allaying the apprehensions raised by local tourist taxi drivers over the Goa Transport Aggregators Guidelines 2025, CM Sawant on Friday said cab aggregators from outside will not be allowed in the state. The draft guidelines were issued on May 20. The last date to give suggestions and raise objections is June 30. Goa Miles Chief Executi

'No Ola, Uber in Goa', says CM Sawant as coastal MLAs seek policy pause

Goa CM Pramod Sawant rules out Ola and Uber's entry, assures locals that app cab guidelines are only drafts; coastal MLAs urge policy pause to protect local taxi operators' livelihood

Goa health minister apologises to doctors amid GMC protest unrest

The protests came after an incident in which Health Minister Rane used harsh language against Dr Rudresh Kuttikar during a visit to GMC

Goa CM reverses doctor's suspension after Health Minister row: All we know

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reversed Health Minister Vishwajit Rane's order suspending Dr Rudresh Kuttikar, following public backlash and support from the medical community

ED arrests key accused Rohan Harmalkar in ₹1,000 crore Goa land scam

The alleged mastermind Rohan Harmalkar is charged with defrauding property owners using fake documents and tampering revenue records across prime tourist locations in Goa

IndiGo issues travel advisory for Goa, warns of flight delays due to rain

IndiGo Airlines advised passengers to stay informed by regularly checking their flight status and to plan for extra travel time due to possible weather-related delays and traffic disruptions

Goa temple stampede on May 3 was 'entirely preventable,' finds report

A fact-finding committee appointed by the Goa government to investigate the May 3 stampede at a temple in North Goa district has concluded that the tragedy was "entirely preventable." Six persons died and around 100 people were injured in the stampede in the early hours during an annual festival of Sri Lairai Devi temple at Shirgao village. The incident was the result of a combination of poor planning, lack of enforcement, ignored directives and inadequate infrastructure, said the report, a copy of which is with PTI. The committee, headed by revenue secretary Sandip Jacques, has also provided recommendations to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. "Based on field visits, interactions with eye-witnesses, injured victims, organisers, executive magistrates, police officials and perusal of available records, the committee found that the stampede was precipitated by a confluence of preventable lapses and oversights among key stakeholders," the report said. The ...

Goa not BJP's laboratory: Cong on Centre's suggestion about nuclear plant

Opposition parties have objected to the Centre's suggestion to set up a nuclear power plant in Goa, with Congress saying the coastal state is not "a laboratory for BJP's dangerous experiments". Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said that the Central government has suggested that the states examine the feasibility of setting up nuclear power plants in their respective areas and send proposals. Speaking to reporters, Khattar said he had discussed the possibility of setting up a nuclear power plant in a review meeting of the Urban Development and Power sector in Goa. In a post on X, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said, "Goa is not a laboratory for @BJP4India's dangerous experiments. I strongly condemn Shri @mlkhattar's absurd proposal of setting up a nuclear power plant in our peaceful, eco-sensitive state of Goa." He alleged that the BJP government had already destroyed Goa's hills, forests, agriculture and

Goa stampede: Police directives on CCTV cameras, barricades not implemented

The committee managing the Shree Lairai Temple failed to implement the Goa police's directives to install CCTV cameras for the annual festival, during which six people lost their lives in a stampede, an official said on Monday. The official, quoting the minutes of a meeting held days before the tragedy, said the temple committee was also requested to make necessary arrangements for queues with proper barricading wherever required. The temple authorities, however, said there wasn't enough time to install the CCTV cameras, as the meeting was held just a couple of days before the event. Six people were killed, and more than 70 sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during an annual festival at Shree Lairai Temple at Shirgao village of North Goa in the wee hours of Saturday. The police, district administration and Shree Lairai Temple committee held a meeting on April 30 ahead of the festival, during which the temple authorities were asked to install CCTV cameras at the entry and

Goa stampede unprecedented, Governor Pillai visits families of deceased

He visited and met the family of the deceased Sagar Nandadurgi at Mathwada, Pilgaon, Bicholim who lost his life in the tragic stampede at the Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao

Goa govt cancels all state-backed events for 3 days after temple stampede

The Goa government on Saturday announced that all functions supported by it stand cancelled for the next three days in the wake of a stampede during a temple festival that killed six devotees and injured more than 70. "In view of the tragic stampede incident that occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao, and as an expression of condolences to the departed and their families, the Government of Goa directs that all Government- supported festive programmes and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed," a circular issued by Shreyas D'Silva, Under Secretary of General Administration Department, stated. "All Heads of Departments, Government Corporations and Autonomous Bodies are hereby instructed to ensure strict compliance with this directive," the circular reads. The stampede occurred at a temple festival at Shirgao village in North Goa in the wee hours of Saturday, officials said. According to the police, thousands of devotees ...

6 dead, over 30 injured in stampede at Goa's Lairai Devi temple. Details

The stampede occurred during the annual Lairai Jatra in Goa's Shrigao village, where thousands had gathered for the fire-walking ritual at the Lairai Devi temple

Environment dept issues stop-work notice to controversial project in Goa

The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority issued a stop-work notice on Tuesday to a construction project of a private company near Panaji for allegedly not obtaining prior environment clearance amid protests. A day before, the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) had demonstrated against the upcoming project at Bambolim village. RGP MLA Viresh Borkar and the party president Manoj Parab had alleged that the project would adversely affect the environment. As the protests continued on Tuesday, the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (GSEIAA), which works under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, issued a stop-work notice to the project. State Environment Director Sachin Desai, also a member secretary of the authority, ruled that the construction activity was undertaken by M/s Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited without obtaining prior Environment Clearance (EC) as prescribed under the Environment Impact Assessment ...

Over 50 tourists from Goa stuck in J&K after terror attack: Officials

More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, officials said on Wednesday. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others, according to officials. The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty. After the incident, all visitors were transported from Pahalgam and other places to hotels in Srinagar, a Goa government official said. More than 50 persons from Goa were currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding that "all are safe". Efforts were on to bring them back, the official said. Tour operators from Goa were also working out plans to bring all tourists back f

Tough season: Sharp drop in tourism forces closure of Goa beach shacks

Due to a sharp drop in tourists, a number of beach shacks in Goa have closed their operations weeks before the official end of the tourist season. Shacks on less popular beaches have already shut

Air India asked me to fly in broken seat or get refund: Goa AAP leader

Goa AAP president Amit Palekar on Friday evening claimed Air India told him that his seat on a Delhi to Seoul flight was broken, and he could either choose to fly or take a refund, which prompted the airline to respond that it was "reviewing his concern". Palekar shared a post and video on X about his experience. "I am at the counter (at the Delhi airport) and I have been told by the staff...that my confirmed seat is unserviceable, it does not recline. I have to give a consent, which is a kind of forced consent because I have no other choice but to fly because I have connecting flights....and Air India is saying either we will give you complete refund and you choose another option, or you fly this seat which is a broken seat," he said in the video. In his post, Palekar wrote, "Welcome to @airindia. This is a common feature for those flying on Air India to face this ordeal of being told that your seat is not reclining or broken after paying full fare." "This is my third time. I ...

Singapore Sling! The city-state offers a mix of old and new effortlessly

Singapore is a seamless blend of modern urban sophistication with lush, accessible green spaces and rich cultural diversity. Visit Singapore if you are looking for a safe and secure country to travel

Goa budget allocates Rs 2,100 cr for education, mandates internship

The Goa budget has earmarked Rs 2,100 crore for the education sector and made it compulsory for students in the state to undergo internship to complete their graduation course. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday presented a revenue surplus budget in the Goa assembly, providing tax incentives for tourism entrepreneurs setting up starred hotels in rural areas and full SGST reimbursement for the first 5 years for industries investing more than Rs 5,000 crore. The budget projected GSDP at current prices for 2025-26 at Rs 1,38,624.86 crore with a growth rate of 14.27 per cent. It projected Goa's per capita income of Rs 9.69 lakh, portraying a robust and healthy economy. Sawant announced that internship will be a mandatory part of the graduation for students from the upcoming academic year (June 2025). While earmarking Rs 2,100 crore for the education sector, Sawant announced several new initiatives, including the internship which will be implemented phase-wise in different colleg

Congress alleges ₹304.24 cr scam in Goa, calls BJP 'cabal of Mini-Adanis'

Congress leader Pawan Khera also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption stance, stating that his government in Goa contradicts his claims of fighting corruption

'Hatred for Maharashtra… in Goa,' says Ayesha Takia on case against husband

Actor Ayesha Takia's husband, Abu Farhan Azmi, was booked by police in Goa at a public place at Candolim village in North Goa. In a post, the actress said her family was 'brutally bullied' by goons