GOY RAKHONN YATRA ENTERS PORVORIM & SALIGAO; THOUSANDS JOIN ON DAY FOUR

Congress leaders raise road-safety concerns, target government over Porvorim flyover and development issues

Goa Khabar: The fourth day of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra travelled through the Porvorim and Saligao Assembly constituencies on Friday, with thousands of locals joining the march.

Congress leaders used the occasion to raise issues concerning road safety, traffic congestion, the Porvorim flyover and development in Saligao. The day’s walk was also dedicated to people who have lost their lives in road accidents in Goa.

Addressing the gathering, AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare alleged that the BJP government’s failure to implement adequate road-safety measures had contributed to the continuing loss of lives on Goa’s roads.

“The government has failed to take the necessary measures to make Goa’s roads safer. The Porvorim flyover was supposed to provide relief to commuters from traffic congestion, but people are questioning whether it has actually solved their problems,” Thakare said.

He further alleged corruption in the execution of the flyover project and demanded accountability over the expenditure and its outcome.

GPCC President Girish Chodankar targeted Saligao MLA Kedar Naik over his defection, recalling the oath taken before religious places and accusing him of betraying the mandate of the people.

“Kedar Naik spoke about development when he defected. Today, people should ask what development Saligao has actually received. We have seen no meaningful development for ordinary people; what we have seen is personal development,” Chodankar alleged.

He said the electorate would ultimately judge Naik’s political decisions in the next Assembly election.

Chodankar also responded to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks questioning the participation in the Goy Rakhonn Yatra. He claimed that the Chief Minister had become “frustrated” after seeing the response received by the Yatra.

“The Chief Minister is talking about outsiders because he cannot ignore the response the Yatra is receiving. The Goy Rakhonn Yatra appears to have entered his thoughts day and night,” Chodankar said.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said Saligao had not received the development its residents deserved and alleged that development activity was instead increasingly visible on the constituency’s hills.

Speaking about political defections, Alemao said voters would decide the fate of those who had changed parties after being elected on another party’s mandate.

Referring to the Porvorim flyover, Alemao questioned whether the expenditure on the project had delivered the promised relief to commuters.

“₹641 crore has been spent on the Porvorim flyover, but people are still facing problems. We have dedicated today’s walk to those who have lost their lives in road accidents,” Alemao said.

He added that road safety would be a priority for Congress if it forms the government in Goa.

“We will work on comprehensive road-safety measures aimed at reducing road-accident deaths and making Goa’s roads safer for everyone,” Alemao said.

The Yatra witnessed participation from several senior Congress leaders, including Goa Desk Co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira, former Chief Minister and GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar , Ex MP Francisco Sardinha, Congress leader Vikas Prabhudesai, GPCC Vice-President Tulio D’Souza ,Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Dr Pratiksha Khalap, Youth President Archit Naik , District President Shashank Narvekar, Ex District President virendra Shirodkar, Saligao block president Atul Naik, Porvorim Block President Anil Pednekar among others participated

Goa Vikas Party President Sarvesh Bandodkar also attended the Yatra and extended his support to the initiative.

From Porvorim to Saligao, thousands of residents, Congress workers and supporters walked together on the fourth day of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, as the campaign continued its journey across Goa highlighting local issues and interacting with citizens.