PANAJI
Unwillingness on part of the Corporation of City of Panaji to pitch in funds for the ‘Smart City Project’ was one of the major reasons why Panaji did not qualify in the first round to be funded under the ‘Smart City Mission’ of the Union Ministry of Urban Development.
However, Panaji has got another opportunity to qualify. Panaji is ranking fifth in the list of 23 cities which will be fast-tracked for getting funds under the Mission.
Speaking to media, CCP Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said, “Goa is ranked at 52.99 per cent and the last city to quality in the list ranked at 55.47 per cent. It cannot be said that Panaji is not a smart city. Smart City is a continuous process. We have not lost. But now we have another opportunity.”
Commissioners of various cities including Panaji interacted with the Central Ministry’s secretary to discuss the issue.
“The Ministry has come up with a second list of cities which will be fast-tracked and they will see that these fast-tracked cities will submit their revised proposals by April 15. Considering the period from February 1, we have only 75 days to revive the proposal. This is the fast-tracked round because they felt many of the cities have come very close to the ranking”, said Rodrigues.
He, however, lamented that Panaji did not score on user charges and unwillingness by the CCP to raise funds for the project.
“There is some part of self-funding on which we did not score in addition to user charges. Otherwise we might have even topped. I will now have to go to the new civic body to convince them”, said Rodrigues.
