PANJIM: As part of the Smart City plans, the State government will undertake a special study on non-revenue water for Panjim, improvement in municipal tax collection and revenue generation for the civic body through advertisements. The study will be executed through Central funding.
Imagine Panjim Smart City Development Ltd – the special purpose vehicle (SPV), PWD and the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) will jointly conduct the study.
Addressing media persons, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) vice president Siddharat Kuncholienkar said the Central government has sanctioned three projects for Panjim for which a detailed feasibility study will have to be conducted before execution.
Under the non-revenue water, emphasis will be to reduce misuse of water, revenue leakages and proper billing system. Use of technological intervention by reaching out to people’s door step for tax payment and ensuring timely payment would be part of ‘understanding the potential of municipal tax’ study.
Under the ‘potential of advertisement revenue for civic body’ the authorities will focus on promoting advertisements through hoardings without hampering the city’s uniqueness.
Kuncolienkar said that the Registrar of Companies has incorporated the SPV in the name and style of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited, with the State government and CCP having 40 per cent shares each respectively. GSIDC and Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will have a share of 10 percent each, he added. The SPV will be chaired by the Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Mahajan.
Panjim is one amongst 33 cities selected for development under the Smart City Mission by the Centre. Rs 534 crores will be spent on development and improvement of Panjim over the next five years, with the State and Centre contributing Rs 267.06 crore each.
