Smart city, dumb spending: Rs 250 crores for 250 cameras in Panaji

THE GOAN NETWORKPublished Aug 6, 2024, 12:38 AM IST

SHARE ON

Smart city, dumb spending: Rs 250 crores for 250 cameras in Panaji

PANAJI
The Smart City project in Panaji has come under scrutiny again, this time over the whopping cost of installation of CCTV cameras.

Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai criticised the alleged spending of Rs 250 crores on 250 cameras, which meant one camera cost the State exchequer Rs 1 crore.

"Before any other infrastructure tenders were issued, the cameras' tender was prioritised. The Smart City has one camera worth Rs 1 crore... Rs 250 crores for 250 cameras. Is this expenditure justifiable for the State? Even the best cameras can be purchased for up to Rs 20,000," Sardesai remarked during the Urban Development portfolio discussion.

Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao also criticised the department for the exorbitant cost of the cameras, demanding an answer from the minister.

SHARE ON

Ban on PoP Ganesh idols to be enforced with border checks

THE GOAN NETWORK

Published Aug 6, 2024, 12:04 AM IST

SHARE ON

MAPUSAChief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that Goa Police will be tasked with monitoring the State borders to prevent the entry of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).This move aims to reinforce the State's ban on these environmentally harmful idols."I will ask Goa Police to keep a strict vigil on the border areas to ensure that such idols of Plaster of Paris don’t make their way into the State," Sawant assured the Legislative Assembly.The announcement…