Everyone has a take on Panjim. From councilors to thefashionable who dish out opinions on the latest cut of their clothes andtreating garbage in the same breath, “concerned” citizens, whose concern endsas soon as the “workshop” or conference or whatever tea party they are a ends,and the people at large, who haven’t moved beyond serious orchestrations ofconcern on Facebook, Twitter and Google groups. The point is when will we seereal change?
The Corporation of the City of Panaji passed number ofresolutions for the beautification of the city but none of them have beenimplemented.
CCP had proposed to tackle major issues like decongestion ofthe city, desilting of the St Inez Creek, parking problem, garbage,beautification of Mala lake etc. These plans have only remained on paper, as noconcrete action has been taken on any of them.
Panjim Mayor, Vaidehi Naik blames the government forsleeping over various developmental plans proposed by CCP, which has been lyingpending for years.
“We are working on different projects like multi-storeyparking facilities and garbage treatment plant. A survey report of St InezCreek is also done. But it takes times for any project to come into reality. Weare trying our best to fulfill the expectations of the people,” the mayor said.
Many projects proposed by CCP were of public interest andfor the benefit of the public at large.
“There are resolutions passed by CCP for the last sevenyears. People sitting on the chair do not have vision for Panjim,” saidcorporator, Surendra Furtado.
“Panjim does not require a plastic surgery but it needs abig operation. Just working few days before IFFI and making Panjim look likeold wine in new bottle is not enough,” he added.
Two years back CCP missed a golden opportunity to availcentral funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission when itfailed to submit specific projects under the planned assistance specified bythe centre.
“The project under the JNNURM is pending for approval forthe last eight months. Why is the mayor or the local MLA who is also the ChiefMinister not doing anything? Last time we lost funds worth Rs 1000 crore,”Furtado said.
Currently the CCP is working on a proposal planned byCharles Correia Foundation in order to decongest the city. The plan iscurrently kept open for public to review it.
The million dollar question is whether this plan will getthrough or not.
