While Smart City drags on, Goa gets ‘smart street’ in Calangute

With 30 light poles with four-coloured theme lighting, CCTV cameras and WiFi connection to boot, Tito’s lane in Baga, Calangute is touted as the first smart street in Goa.

“The idea popped up after a brain-storming session amongst the panchayat members and the local MLA. This is the most happening street in the coastal belt so we decided to revive and rebrand the street and make it vibrant, clean and safe,” said Shawn Martins, local panchayat member of the area.

The entire paved street is also lined up with solar blinkers which come alive at night and digital smart boards that give opportunity to flash messages.

On Monday, Ports Ministers and local MLA Michael Lobo inaugurated the smart street with much fanfare in presence of the panchayat members and other dignitaries.

Crediting the locals for the development of the smart street, Lobo said it was the villagers who gave the nod to beautify the street.

“Smart people who live in this area gave us a chance to develop the street. They always said do whatever is good for the public,” he said.

The Ports Minister cautioned that maintenance of the street should be given top priority, as several projects that are built fail to live up to the expectations on account of non-maintenance.

The smart street was developed by Shankh Creations in association with the Calangute panchayat.

“The smart street has been done through CSR activity. Government has not spent a single rupee to develop it,” Lobo said.

The concept and the development of the smart street received accolades from stakeholders in tourism.

“I am very impressed with this beautiful and first of its kind smart street in Goa. We need to develop more streets in the whole of Calangute just like this,” said Earnest Dias, a top charter operator of Goa and President of Skal International, Goa

Calangute Sarpanch Dinesh Simpurushker, ZP member, Dattaprasad Dhabolkar and others also spoke.