The way the capital city of Panaji is being destroyed with haphazard planning and the execution of relentless digging of roads for pipe laying, underground cabling, and sewerage works, has led to chaotic conditions on all roads and a serious deterioration of air quality, with particulate matter (PM10) at an all time high, that is proving dangerous for the health of citizens and visitors.
It makes one wonder therefore as to what is smart in the ‘smart city’ project as these are works which are expected in every capital city and ought to have been in existence long before. So even after the completion, Panaji will remain the same as before and probably even worse, with old and dilapidated buildings, overcrowded streets, jammed with polluting vehicles that will add to the misery of residents and visitors.
Porvorim on the other hand is a better option to serve as the state capital city with all amenities. For example, we have the secretariat building, the High court of Bombay, a sprawling ‘Mall de Goa’ with multiplexes, excellent health care hospitals and nursing homes, any number of banks, eating houses and restaurants, shopping centres for daily needs, etc. Not forgetting the CHOGM road connecting the city to the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt. It is therefore time for the government to give it a serious thought and shift over from Panaji to Porvorim as the state’s capital city.
