PANAJI
As the deadline for completing the Smart City project ends today, May 31, Revenue Minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate issued a stern warning regarding substandard work.
While inspecting the ongoing works under the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) along with the agency's CEO Sanjith Rodrigues on Thursday, Monserrate told reporters that about 90 per cent of the work is complete and indicated a slight delay in other projects.
“There’s a difference between quality and progress. We have given specifications to ensure quality work for which engineers are on the job. No leniency will be shown (in holding contractors accountable) for any shortcomings. They will also have to re-do the faulty works,” he said in response to concerns raised by reporters regarding probable compromise of quality owing to the accelerated pace of work to meet the deadline.
In the same breath, Monserrate assured that thorough quality checks have been conducted and any deficiencies are quickly conveyed to the responsible contractors.
Amid the government’s assurance before the Bombay High Court in Goa to meet the May 31 deadline, Monserrate spoke about the likelihood of slight delays.
“Manholes might be extended by another 4-5 days... The works are ongoing and 90 percent of it is complete... Most of the works will be completed by May 31 while the remaining such as pavements and other areas will be taken up in the monsoon,” he said. Monserrate also announced the postponement of work on 18 June Road until after the monsoon while alerting there could be waterlogging issues.
“We haven't touched that road yet, so waterlogging will occur, but we will address it after the monsoon,” he added.
