PANAJI
In what could raise serious questions about the credibility of sworn submissions made by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) to the High Court of Bombay at Goa, discrepancies have come to the fore.
A key point of contention lies in the claim that the beautification and pedestrianization of the Café Bhonsle Square have been completed, which completely contradicts the ground reality.
The affidavit by Chief General Manager (IPSCDL) Vivek Valke declared the completion of work at the Central Space of Café Bhonsle Square. However, until Saturday, ongoing works were evident with one lane entirely closed to vehicular movement and partial restrictions imposed on other accesses.
The affidavit, copy of which is in possession of The Goan, outlined a two-phase project covering the road adjacent to Cunha Rivera Road (Café Ritz) and the Central Space of Café Bhonsle Square. The description of the work being beautification of the area and its adjacent streets.
In the current status category, IPCDL marked the project as “completed,” despite visible signs of unfinished work.
Adding to the inconsistencies, IPSCDL CEO Sanjith Rodrigues' presentation before the high court hearing stated that work on the nearly two-kilometer ‘smart road’ stretch from the Old Patto Bridge to the Neuginagar T-junction at Four Pillars roundabout would extend till May-June, citing the Goa Board exam schedule for the delay.
However, in the affidavit, the agency specified that work under Phase I, which includes the 560-meter stretch from Handicrafts Building (at Neuginagar) to Four Pillars Junction and the 250-meter segment from Old Patto Bridge to the Income Tax Office, had yet to commence.
The project was originally scheduled to begin on February 1 and conclude by February 28. This phase involves laying utility ducts with road crossings and the construction of chambers to accommodate utility services such as optical fiber cables and electrical wiring -- claimed to be executed without damaging the concrete road.
Phase II, which covers the construction of concrete pavement from the Income Tax Office to the Handicrafts Building (570 meters), is to begin on March 1 and conclude a month later. Besides, the work includes footpath duct installation and road painting from April 1 to May 31, with tree plantation and landscaping slated from June 1 to June 30.
With ongoing construction already causing traffic disruptions, Panaji commuters will now have to further brace up to bear the inconvenience as additional road works across five stretches start today (Saturday).
According to IPSCDL, the projects cover 1,415 meters -- MG Road from UCO Bank to Vinanti Restaurant (380 meters), General Bernardo Guedes Road from Geeta Bakery to DB Road Junction near INOX (535 meters), General Costa Alvares Road from Panaji Market to DB Road (200 meters), Internal Road from Tom Liquor Shop to DB Road (200 meters), and two Internal Lanes along General Costa Alvares Road (100 meters). These works are projected to continue till February 28.
Interestingly, Rodrigues’ presentation indicated that work on General Bernardo Guedes Road, covering the stretch from Geeta Bakery Junction to INOX, will extend till April-May. Moreover, on March 1, IPSCDL will initiate further work on MG Road from Old Patto Bridge to Liberty Showroom (530 meters) along with other road segments which it states will achieve better connectivity.
The final pre-monsoon phase includes laying bituminous concrete and painting roads throughout May, followed by landscaping and tree plantation in June.
