Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate on Wednesday expressed his discontent over the substandard ‘Smart City’ works being carried out in his constituency. The MLA also revealed that Rs 8 crore was being paid to a consultant, whose job is basically problem-solving and improving operations through their ‘expertise’ in that field. After spending such a huge figure on consultancy, the highlight of the project as projected in the media appears to be the consultant’s incompetence.
Even a local not knowing much about infrastructural works can at first glance point out faults in the ongoing work. The Smart City project has been a nuisance and has made life only difficult for the residents and commuters in Panaji.
The project may benefit them in the long term but the ongoing works paint a different picture, one that lacks ‘expertise’ and which could give rise to more problems in the future.