With the March 31 deadline set by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) fast approaching, the so-called “Smart City” work in Panjim remains sluggish and chaotic, marred by disorganisation and bureaucratic delays.
Despite repeated assurances from IPSCDL, significant portions of the project remain incomplete, frustrating residents and business owners.
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Pending Work:
- In Central Panjim, 3,450 metres of roadwork remains unfinished.
- An affidavit filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa states that in St Inez, only 200 metres of roadwork is pending out of a total of 3,000 metres.
- On Rua de Ourem, a staggering 13,800 metres of roadwork remains incomplete.
Repeated Digging and Poor Planning:
- Contractors are reportedly digging and re-digging the same areas despite earlier claims of completion.
- Key points like the UCO Bank-Govinda Building junction, Vishal Mega Mart Junction, and Atmaram Borkar Road have been dug up multiple times.
A shopkeeper on Atmaram Borkar Road, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration:
The situation is very bad. The number of customers visiting our shops has reduced. I’m getting some business only because I’ve been here for years
Local Shopkeeper
This is a very bad phase for us; most shops are struggling. We have salaries to pay and expenses to cover. With no customers, how will we survive? Roads are dug up without notice, left closed for days, and even when reopened, they remain incomplete
Workers on the ground remain sceptical about meeting the March 31 deadline. One worker admitted:
“Only works that have received clearance from the authorities will be completed on time.”
Public Outcry Over Delays
City resident Dr Odette Lobo criticised the project’s progress:
“I don’t think the work will finish before March 31. The entire exercise has become a joke. Roads across the city are a mess. Look at the condition of the stretch near Cafe Bhosle or the incomplete works at Mala, Altinho, EDC, D B Marg, and 18th June Road they are a mess. I believe over 40% of the work is still pending. This delay will only inflate the contractors’ bills.”
Sharing similar concerns, Shalini Naik added:
Both roads and footpaths have been dug up, making it difficult to even walk, especially for children and senior citizens. Even where roads have been relaid, there are gaps between the road and footpath. I have no idea when they’ll finally fix it.
Shalini Naik – Resident , Panji
With weeks left until the deadline, doubts persist over whether the Smart City work will be completed on time, raising concerns about rising costs and prolonged disruptions for residents and businesses alike.
