Opposition councillor Jack Ajit Sukhija has written to Mayor Rohit Monserrate suggesting a series of measures to tackle traffic, parking and climate challenges in the capital city.
The move comes even as the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), dominated by the ruling group, has kept the three Opposition councillors out of all statutory committees of the civic body in its new term.
Jack, who represents Altinho-Fontainhas ward 17, congratulated Monserrate on his re-election and praised recent initiatives to clean the city and revive gardens even as he outlined six key proposals related to parking, traffic control and green initiatives.
First, he urged setting up central parking lots at Junta House, PWD Garage and DB ground, arguing that Panaji’s compact layout makes it ideal for strategic parking hubs, similar to tourism-centric cities worldwide.
Second, he pitched for imposing a speed limit of 45 kmph across all city roads. Narrow intersections and frequent accidents, especially involving two-wheelers, made this measure urgent, he said.
Third, he proposed using the GTDC parking lot at Patto for tourist vehicles visiting heritage areas like São Tomé, Fontainhas and Mala. Feeder vehicles could then ferry visitors, easing congestion in the old quarters, he argued.
Jack also called for positioning Panaji as a “biophilic city.”
He stressed that trees should be treated as vital urban infrastructure, not decorative elements, and urged ecological planning to strengthen citizen engagement with nature.
He also recommended mapping all infrastructure, including blue-green assets, and shifting major festivals and exhibitions from DB ground and Kala Academy to Shyama Prasad Stadium. Smaller events could continue at F.L. Gomes Garden without disturbing residents.
The letter marks a rare intervention from the sidelined Opposition, seeking to influence policy despite exclusion from CCP committees but it remains to be seen if the ruling dispensation takes note or ignores his suggestions.
