PANAJI
The session also witnessed a verbal spat between the Corporation of City of Panaji Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues and some of Panaji’s citizens.
Also present on the occasion were CCP Mayor Surendra Furtado and Panaji MLA Sidharth Kuncalienkar.
The session began with the consultants making a presentation on the key factors in the upgraded plan. Following the presentation, a citizen alleged that ICLEI, the consultant appointed to prepare the proposal, has not done anything new as these plans were prepared to avail funds under the JNNURM scheme.
Raising the issue of Panaji being a bin-free city, another citizen demanded that CCP scrap the bin-free concept and provide dustbins at various points in the city as people are found littering waste.
Dr Nandkumar Kamat said, “We need to work smartly on this proposal. Urban agglomerate is to be taken into consideration. The plan cannot and should not ignore the outgrowth of the city. Urban areas like Bambolim, Porvorim and Kadamba Plateau cannot be allowed to continue under a village panchayat and should be included as part of Panaji.”
Another citizen Siddha Sardessai said, “There are cynical individuals amongst us but we cannot stop planning due to cynicism. We support the initiatives of the city and care about its future.”
The Commissioner also highlighted on paying user charges for smart services.
