NT Reporter Panaji The states tourism department will spend nearly Rs 1 crore to accord a traditional welcome to international tourists arriving in the first charter flights from each source market, either at the Goa International Airport located at Dabolim or the Manohar International Airport in Mopa. Similarly, a traditional welcome will also be accorded []

Padmavati Prabhu Panaji Following the successful introduction of roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferryboats on the Ribandar-Chorao route in July, the state government has now set the ball rolling for starting such a ferryboat service on the Divar-Sao Pedro route. The service is likely to start in April next year, and the two Ro-Ro ferryboats to be []

NT Reporter Panaji Goa is set to get its second common waste management facility for industries, with the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) planning a Solid Waste Management Processing Facility (SWMPF) at the Tuem industrial estate cluster, which covers the Tuem, Colvale, Thivim, Mapusa, and Pilerne industrial estates. Earlier, GIDC had announced a similar facility []

NT Reporter Panaji The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Panaji on Wednesday extended the police remand of history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo (36) and seven others by two more days in connection with the brutal attack on social activist Rama Kankonkar. Police said Cardozo, the prime accused, was arrested on Sunday. While police sought seven days additional []

NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the state government to submit a status report on steps taken to appoint a Lokayukta at the next hearing. The post has been vacant since December 2024. The petition, filed by Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Trajano DMello, challenges the non-appointment of a []

NT Reporter Panaji Citizens of Old Goa raised strong objections on Wednesday to the dumping of garbage in the Bhakia property area, which falls within the buffer zone of a protected heritage site. They demanded immediate action to identify the culprits, stop the dumping, and restore the site to its original condition. The dumping is []

Agencies United Nations President Donald Trump returned to the United Nations on Tuesday to boast of his second-term foreign policy achievements and lash out at the world body as a feckless institution. World leaders listened closely to his remarks at the UN General Assembly as Trump has already moved quickly to diminish US support for []

NT Reporter Panaji Officials of the Commercial Tax Department on Tuesday visited around 117 shops across the state to check if the goods and services tax (GST) rate reductions are being passed on to customers. No violations were reported during the visits. The officials visited all types of shops such as grocery stores, pharmacies, cement []

NT Reporter Panaji The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Panaji, has arrested Mohammed Suhail alias Michael under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the land grabbing scam. The ED said Suhail, an alleged mastermind in the large-scale land grabbing in the state, was taken into custody on September 22 from []

NT Reporter Panaji Streamlining the process to sell iron ore dumps, the Union government on Tuesday specified that dumps which are in leased area up to August 31, 2025, are permitted for sale by mining companies. Earlier, the mines ministry had empowered states to allow the sale of dumps stacked in the leased area but []

NT Reporter Panaji Chemists in the state have asked for a protection period of 90-120 days to transition into the new GST rates, seeking to ensure that those who do not stock lower MRP items are not subjected to punitive action by tax officials. With the revised GST rates coming into effect from September 22, []

NT Reporter Sankhali A massive fire broke out in the Sankhali Municipal Market around 1.30 am on Monday, gutting three shops and causing estimated losses of about Rs 60 lakh. Firefighters from the Bicholim and Valpoi fire stations battled the blaze for nearly two hours before it was brought under control. The blaze, initially suspected []

NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed M/s Goveia Resorts/Waterfront, Goveia Marina Resorts, Vaddy, Siolim, to remove the mud filling carried out in the lagoon and restore it to its original dimensions. The court noted that in its order dated March 15, 2024, with reference to the April 7, 2017 direction []

NT Reporter Panaji A day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the proposed Unity Mall and the 17-storey administrative tower Prashasan Stambh, set to come up at Chimbel, have all required permissions, chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Committee Govind Shirodkar said the projects are planned on land officially classified as wetland by the government []

NT Reporter Panaji Goa Tourism was awarded for its spiritual tourism initiative at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Hyderabad 2025 held on September 19-20. The award was presented by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, Government of Telangana. During the two-day event, the Goa Tourism delegation engaged extensively with []

History tells us that Goans have migrated for centuries due to socioeconomic and religious factors, with migration patterns evolving from early movements to Indian states and East Africa to later waves of emigration to the Gulf, Europe and other parts of the world. Goans have today established communities worldwide, especially in countries that were once []

EDITORIAL Public buildings should serve as tangible representations of our heritage and culture The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Building Construction Corporation (India) Ltd (NBCC) for the redevelopment of seven key infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These include two historic buildings Junta House in []

Roque Dias Margao In a key step to ease depositions before courts, Goa is all set to launch its first-ever e-witness room at the South Goa collectorate building in Margao, enabling witnesses, police officers, public servants, and citizens to testify before various courts via high-definition video conferencing, without stepping into a courtroom. This e-witness room, []

NT Reporter Panaji In a first-of-its-kind initiative, an integrative oncology research and care centre will be inaugurated at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal on Tuesday. A tripartite agreement will be signed between the Goa government, AIIA and Tata Cancer Hospital to start the centre on the occasion of Ayurveda Day on Tuesday. This []

NT Reporter Panaji Scientists and academics from IIT and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) have cautioned that Indias freshwater ecosystems face mounting threats that require systemic, behavioural, and community-driven responses rather than quick fixes that only worsen degradation. Speaking during a brainstorming session titled Mission Sarovar Punha Nirman: Reimagining Goas Lakes, on Thursday Dr []

Special Correspondent Panaji Stating that Parul University has become Goas first private university, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said two more private universities have been approved by the government, thus taking the total number of such universities in the state to three. The government is also open to international universities setting up their campuses []

NT Reporter Panaji In a brazen act of daylight violence that has shocked Goa, social activist Rama Kankonkar was brutally attacked by a gang of six assailants near the Childrens Park at Caranzalem on Thursday afternoon. The assault, carried out with lethal weapons in full public view, has left Kankonkar grievously injured. Police have registered []

PTI New York/New Delhi The Trump administration has said that individuals operating the Iranian port of Chabahar will face sanctions beginning later this month, a decision that will have implications for India, which is involved in developing a terminal at the strategic port. Located in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich countrys southern coast, Chabahar port []

NT Reporter Panaji Sounding an alarm over the deteriorating condition of Goas lakes, Dr Sharad P Kale, former Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientist and chief advisor to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Thursday said 39 water bodies in the state have been placed under E category by the Central Pollution Control Board due to []

Special Correspondent Panaji Goan filmmaker Miransha Naik, whose Konkani film Juze won a record 14 awards at the recent Goa State Film Festival, organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), returned his awards on Thursday. Naik said the decision came after the same Entertainment Society of Goacategorised his film in the lowest C grade []

Special Correspondent Panaji Opposition parties strongly condemned the attack on activist Rama Kankonkar, raising sharp questions over the law and order situation in Goa. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, Goa is witnessing a disturbing trend of goondagiri by assailants who are protected by police, while questioning the Chief Minister on whether Goa is safe []

NT Reporter Ponda The Public Works Department (PWD) is transforming the space beneath the Curti bypass flyover into a public utility, in a first-of-its-kind project for Goa. The initiative aims to ease urban parking congestion and sanitation issues by repurposing 6,600sqm of underutilised space. The project includes a pay-and-park facility for two- and four-wheelers, spread []

NT Reporter Panaji Solar power installers in Goa on Thursday said that rooftop solar systems will become cheaper by about Rs 25,000 for consumers, following GST rate cuts announced by the Union government. From September 22, the average GST on rooftop solar systems will fall to 8.9 per cent, compared to the current 13.8 per []

NT Reporter Mapusa Over the ongoing issue of untreated sewage inflow at Carrem in Socorro, Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Thursday directed the Deputy Collector to take legal action to stop the nuisance caused by the release of sewage into a property and asked the police not to allow sewage tankers in []

NT Reporter Bicholim Following the stampede during the famous Shri Lairai Devi jatra earlier this year, the temple committee has resolved to adopt precautionary measures for future festivities. Temple committee president Dinanath Gaonkar said that as part of these measures, the committee has started registering dhonds who perform agnidivya on jatra day. So far, about []

NT Reporter Pernem The Judicial Magistrate First Class Court at Pernem released Akshay Vashisht, administrator of the Facebook channel Real Talk Clips, who was arrested by Mopa Airport police for allegedly uploading a video titled Goa ka Haunted Airport. The order was passed late Wednesday night, with Judicial Magistrate First Class Judge Shabnam Nagvekar criticising []

NT Reporter Pernem Separated from its herd, a 10-year-old elephant named Omkar is now wandering through fields in Pernem taluka along the Goa-Maharashtra border. On Thursday, the elephant was spotted moving in the fields of Tambose village, where it damaged banana, coconut, and paddy plantations. Its presence has left villagers anxious, with many unable to []

Roque Dias Margao Nearly a decade after promises, the government has finally issued a tender notice for urgent maintenance and restoration of the dilapidated heritage Administracao building (comunidade) in Margao. However, various comunidade authorities in South Goa said the government must first assure them that ownership rights will not be diluted under the pretext of []

NT Reporter Panaji Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the Tourism Departments roadshow in Tashkent has opened new avenues for collaboration and connectivity with the Uzbek travel trade. Goa continues to evolve as a destination that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. We are excited to welcome more travelers from Uzbekistan to experience Goas heritage, festivals, []

Panaji: Voicing concern over the pervading trend of protests across the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the mentality to oppose everything, including the project like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), in a literate state like Goa is not right. Speaking to mediapersons at Mantralaya, Porvorim, he said some people are opposing everything []

Army takes charge of security as PM Oli resigns following massive protests Kathmandu: Nepal reeled under a serious political crisis on Tuesday as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive anti-government protests with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several high-profile leaders, headquarters of political parties, government buildings, and even vandalising []

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of creating a dahshat by imposing coal projects, destroying the environment, compromising on Mhadei, and stifling peoples voices. He told AMRESH PARAB of THE NAVHIND TIMES that a Congress government would stop coal cent per cent, adding that unwanted projects only []

Panaji : As part of its enforcement against noise pollution, the traffic police have seized 21 motorcycles fitted with modified silencers. The drive was conducted on Monday, with traffic police across the state booking riders and owners under the relevant section of the Motor Vehicles Act. Lets join hands to keep our roads safe, quiet []

Welcome Supreme Courts pause on Mhadei eco-tourism project Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji: Goas environmentalists said that the Supreme Courts decision to maintain the status quo on the proposed ecotourism project in the Mhadei-Cotigao tiger reserve area is a critical step for the protection of the states fragile ecology. Goa-based environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar described the verdict []

Ponda : Four persons from Shiroda and natives of Uttar Pradesh, burgled a general store in the Shiroda market area and then set the shop on fire to cover their act, leading to a loss of Rs 25,000 for the owner. The store was gutted while the culprits escaped with cash and goods. The burglary []

Destruction of forests has forced wild animals to enter villages and towns Nature has blessed mankind in various ways, and at the same time supported flora and fauna in forested areas. Unfortunately greed, rather than the need of man has forced him to encroach upon territories of plant life and animals, and take over the []

As a profession that creates all other professions, teachers dont just teach lessons, they awaken the joy of learning, inspiring dreams and fostering confidence Teacher Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers! Ten meritorious teachers who have done exemplary work in the field of education were awarded the CM Vashistha Guru Puruskar []

NT Reporter Panaji As a proactive step to prevent the spread of dengue, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has instructed in-charges of all health centres to visit schools in their respective areas, check for mosquito breeding, and destroy it if found. The schools were closed for the Ganesh Chaturthi vacation, and during this period []

Shoma Patnaik Panaji The Centre has increased the contribution to the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) from two to three per cent of royalty, adding to the burden on mining leaseholders of newly auctioned iron ore blocks in Goa. The change took effect on September 1. The mines ministry amended the Mines and Minerals (Development []

NT Reporter Vasco Accusing the BJP of reversing its stand on coal, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar on Wednesday reminded Vasco MLA and BJP spokesperson Krishna Salkar of his 2017 remarks at a Vasco public hearing where he opposed dredging at the port. Let me remind Salkar who, two days ago, said []

NT Reporter Panaji With a two-day GST Council meeting ongoing in Delhi, stakeholders in Goas hospitality trade said they are hoping for a flat 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on tourism services. Currently, GST on hotel rooms is 12 per cent for tariffs up to Rs 7,500 per night, and 18 []

NT Reporter Mapusa The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), in its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, resolved to float the sopo tender for 2025-26 with a 10 per cent hike, amounting to over Rs 1.65 crore along with taxes. The council also decided to continue with the existing sopo contractor until the tender process is completed to []

NT BUZZ brings you a glimpse of a few of the innovative Ganesh decor created by families around the state NT BUZZ Kalangutkar family, Calangute At the Kalangutkar home in Calangute, Ganesh Chaturthi is also a time to reawaken their creative streak. Every year, the family comes together to create a vibrant and eco-friendly backdrop []

As the first Onam of the new Malayalam century dawns today, Malayalees in Goa are not only keeping a tradition alive but also sharing it with their neighbours, friends, and fellow Goans, with a hearty spread- the Onam Sadhya ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ For the many Malayalees living in Goa, Onam is both a []

NT Reporter Margao The fisheries department has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for setting up a multispecies marine fish hatchery on a PPP basis at the existing hatchery site in Benaulim. The project covers hatcheries for Seabass, Cobia, Pompano, Shrimp, Bivalves and Marine Ornamental Fish, along with common infrastructure. According to the RFP, the []