Team Herald
PANJIM: Facing the heat from the people over improper restoration of roads all over Ribandar, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner has now assured to complete the work by the month-end.
The road leading to Old Goa from Ribandar via the ferry points has undergone digging over the fortnight for laying underground power cables under the Smart City project. Shalaka Infra-tech (India) Private Limited is carrying out the smart conversion of overhead to underground electrical network in Panjim and Ribandar for the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL).
Ribandar plateau has been dug earlier, however, despite assurances the roads have not been restored yet. IPSCDL had been granted permission to complete the digging as well as the restoration work by May 20.
Under fire from various quarters including the Goa Human Rights Commission, CCP Commissioner Shahshank Tripathi conceded that the restoration work has not been done as expected. “All the city parts have been restored and there are no stretches that have not been restored where digging was carried out until last month. However, Ribandar work has not been completed yet”, he added
When pointed out that the residents of the area have been suffering due to the incomplete work and things could be worst during monsoons, he said “There have been some issues in procuring hot-mix asphalt as due to pre-monsoon works across the state there is a demand for the hot-mix. I have been monitoring the works daily and we shall be able to complete the works before May 30.”
Reiterating his stand, he further said “I assure the people of Ribandar that by May 30 the roads will be restored.”
CCP Mayor in April had accused that the Corporation was not being taken into confidence by the North Goa Collector while granting permission to the IPSCDL to carryout road digging works for laying of underground cables.
On Tuesday, the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) sought a report from the government regarding the digging of roads following a complaint filed by Advocate Aires Rodrigues. GHRC has asked the Chief Secretary, North Goa Collector and the Managing Director of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) to submit the report by May 29 over allegations that human rights of the residents of Ribandar are grossly violated owing to the haphazard conduct of the road works and government’s inaction to intervene in the matter.
