PANAJI
While repeated affidavits and assurances are being submitted before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited's (IPSCDL) projects have been unending.
The June 30 cut-off date for landscaping and beautification was meant to mark the final phase of IPSCDL’s ambitious smart city overhaul of Panaji. But as July begins, Panaji residents and commuters are still navigating cracked roads, potholed roads and incomplete sideways at a few locations.
The situation stands in sharp contrast to the polished narrative in the high court and press releases issued previously.
Among the most glaring examples is the St Inez junction, where potholes and uneven surfaces have posed a risk, particularly in the rains. Some other parts under the project besides the Neuginagar to Bhatlem stretch -yet to be taken up - also struggling with similar issues.
Several stretches show mismatched road heights and abrupt gaps, posing a clear safety hazard especially for pedestrians.
IPSCDL’s own website lists several ongoing works that appear far from completed such as smart conversion of overhead to underground electrical networks (Panaji-Ribandar), pedestrian spine and revitalisation of the Patto area, rejuvenation of St Inez nallah and related hydraulic improvements, renovation of culverts and bridges at seven locations, smart parking at Miramar, 24x7 water supply with SCADA, development of smart Ribandar and universal walkways in Panaji, smart lighting and public amenities in the Campal green zone, Ribandar Community Market under the Smart Cities Mission, smart classrooms infrastructure development involving civil and electrical works, revitalization of mangrove boardwalk, etc. Traffic signals installed across Panaji, too, are non-functional.
The State government and the IPSCDL had recently maintained that all pending work is progressing on a war footing, during the last hearing on June 12, with the matter now scheduled on July 15.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam stated there are no latest updates.
