Team Herald
PANJIM: The petitioners have urged the High Court of Bombay at Goa to constitute an independent committee to investigate the delay in completion of Smart City works, substandard quality works, and audit the status and quality of the works in the capital city.
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During the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition, Adv Abhijit Gosavi suggested that an independent committee be constituted to investigate into the delay in completion of works, substandard quality works, audit the status and quality of the works carried out under the Smart City projects and adherence to the contractual obligations by the contractors.
The two petitioners, Christus C Lopes and Sadanand Vaingankar, submitted a list of issues indicating the aspect of unsafe and non-motorable roads in Panjim before the High Court.
The petitioners submitted that the present conditions of roads across the capital city were clearly lamentable and roads were not in motorable conditions. The claims of respondents including the IPSCDL that they had completed various works under the Smart City project was not factually correct.
The petitioners said that to support their submission, the photographs were annexed to the affidavit, showing incomplete and unattended works.
They also stated that substandard work had been carried out under Smart City projects but there is delay in completion of works. They further stated that the negligent manner in which works were carried out had resulted in at least three deaths in addition to the numerous accidents, which had occurred on account of such unplanned works.
Though Additional Government Advocate Maria Correia sought time to go through the materials placed on record, she told the Court that necessary safeguards will be taken to barricade all excavated pits for utility cable/backfill.
The Court while hearing the PIL writ petition, posted the matter for further hearing on August 14, in order to enable the government to respond.
Earlier on July 30, while hearing another PIL writ petition filed by Piyush Panchal, Alwyn D’Sa and Neelam Navelkar from Miramar, the IPSCDL had sought more time to rectify deficiencies and to complete the pending works in the capital city.
The petitioners too had produced 40 pages photographs to the Court about the incomplete Smart City works. They had pointed out several potholes in the city, while footpath works were not completed and had not been made operational.
