PANAJI: The officials from the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), Water resource department (WRD) and Public works department (PWD) are making haste to complete the pre-monsoon works in the city area in order to avoid water logging during the impending monsoon season.
Mayor Uday Madkaikar said that in Panaji city, major pre-monsoon works have already been done. "Only some ward wise works are remaining," he said, adding, "These ward wise works will be completed before the monsoons begin."
"This time, we will not see a flood-like situation in the city," assured a confident Madkaikar.
Meanwhile, some citizens have raised concern that the ducts connecting to the river have not been de-silted this year till date.
"This may create a problem in the rainy season," said a citizen.
Meanwhile, former mayor and corporator Shubham Chodankar along with former MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker on Monday inspected the flood control measures undertaken by the Water Resources Department at Mala.
Flooding during the monsoons was a regular feature in Mala in the past and the government is taking steps to make this area flood-free.
During Manohar Parrikar's tenure in 2004, a pumping station was installed in Mala to pump flood water in to the Ourem Creek.
Now Water Resources Minister Vinoda Palienkar has augmented the capacity of pumps from 50 HP to 100 HP so that any amount of rainwater can be drained off easily within the stipulated time.
In addition, a diesel generator set also has been installed so as to ensure pumping even when power fails.
“We have a total of 3 pumps at Mala. Also, drains have been cleared and we hope that there will be no flooding in the area at all this year,” said Chodankar.
CCP mulls pay parking in city limits
PANAJI: The Corporation of City of Panaji is again mulling roping in a private agency to implement its pay parking scheme in the city area. In the initial stages parking along 3 to 4 major roads in the city will be charged a fee.
“We will be having a meeting of councillors somewhere in the second week of June and we will take a final decision on it,” said Mayor Uday Madkaikar.
Soon after the meeting the tendering procedure will start, he added.
When asked about which roads in the city the pay parking will be implemented, the Mayor said, "Possibly along 18th June road i.e from Caculo island to Hindu Pharmacy, the lane in front of Captain of Ports, old Secretariat lane.
"Proper signboards and other infrastructure required for proper implementation of the pay parking scheme will be taken care of," said the mayor.
The Mayor was also confident that this time around, the CCP will be able to achieve its target.
We may recollect that on previous occasions, the CCP has been unable to secure payments from the agencies roped in to collect a parking fee as per the terms of the contract.
The CCP has approached the courts to collect pending dues from the agency. The matter is still sub-judice.
Former mayor Shubham Chodankar, however, said that the implementation of pay parking should be done with proper study.
"CCP can generate good revenue from the pay parking scheme, but there should be a proper study of the routes along which pay parking can be implemented. Multiple contracts can be allotted to different agencies based on the area. This way, contractors can perform well in limited areas," Chodankar added.
