PANAJI
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) has called for an investigation by the Centre into the Smart City works in Panaji alleging corruption and mismanagement.
GFP President Vijai Sardesai has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention while he listed deficiencies and alleged irregularities in the ongoing project.
“This project envisioned to transform Panaji into a modern, efficient city, has degenerated, regrettably, into a monument of mismanagement, corruption, and negligence, severely impacting the quality of life of Panaji residents. The Smart City project has become a source of continuous distress for the citizens of Panaji. Despite the allocation of substantial financial resources, approximately Rs 1,200 crore, the execution of the project has been fraught with myriad issues, leading to widespread disillusionment, frustration and indignation among the residents,” reads the four-page letter.
Sardesai claimed there is massive corruption and financial misappropriation linked with the project while stating that although Chief Minister Pramod Sawant acknowledged the faults of the consultant, no significant action has been taken against these contractors.
“The contractor in question has a history of substandard work across various departments, yet continues to receive government contracts,” the GFP Chief alleged.
He further stated that since its inception, the projects suffered from poor planning and execution.
“The haphazard and unplanned construction work has resulted in severe dust pollution, causing health hazards to the residents. Multiple petitions have been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa, demanding urgent measures to curb this pollution,” he stated.
Sardesai also cited flooding, infrastructure collapse, poor drainage systems, sinkholes, and Safety hazards “exposing the compromised structural integrity of the newly constructed roads and drainage systems”.
Seeking PM’s urgent intervention, the GFP President requested a comprehensive audit of the project, encompassing financial, quality, and safety aspects; and to initiate a criminal investigation to bring those responsible for the gross mismanagement and corruption to face the law.
Meanwhile, the IPSCDL has sought an extension of time in completing the 150m road from Taad-Maad in St Inez to STP Tonca, the stretch that saw the collapse of a newly constructed drain on Monday.
