PANAJI
Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate on Thursday made light of the many troubles faced by residents and commuters in the capital city due to the chaos caused by the ongoing ‘Smart City’ works saying the common people are not complaining but only a handful of “certain elements”.
“Common people are not complaining about the ongoing smart city works...only certain elements are,” Monserrate said while speaking with the media on Thursday.
He also said people should have some patience if they want a more “progressed” Panaji city.
Monserrate is the legislator representing the Panaji constituency and he also controls the city’s civic body where his son Rohit is the Mayor.
The Monserrate duo have over the past several weeks come under fire from citizens and the business community for the haphazard manner in which the work is being executed without sparing a thought for ensuring alternate accesses for unhindered traffic flow.
Many stretches of the city’s roads have been dug up to carry out the sewerage enhancement works as part of the ‘Smart City’ package. Residents and businesses have faced severe hardships and at least two major accidents have occurred due to roads caving in.
Meanwhile, Monserrate who is also the Labour Minister said, a committee has been constituted to suggest measures to better utilise the Rs 6-odd crore meant for welfare of workers who have lost jobs. It will also look into improving the scope of the existing schemes.
