PANJIM: Industry captains can’t take it anymore. Not usually known to take on the establishment, their patience seems to have caved in just like the roads of the ‘Smart City’.
Former Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) president Manoj Caculo on Wednesday slammed the Panaji Smart City project and demanded that the Panjim MLA should resign from the post if the ongoing works are not completed by May 31, 2024.
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“Either complete the Smart City works or vacate your chair,” he demanded.
“The way work is going on there does not appear to be privatisation. Nobody is taking responsibility. For a change our MLA has come up with a statement that he will ensure that the work is complete by May 31,” Caculo said.
He was speaking at the round table discussion on the topic ‘Issues Plaguing Implementation of Smart City – Panaji’, jointly organised by the GCCI and the Institution of Engineers at the Surendrababu Timblo convention hall, Panjim.
“People have lost their livelihood and businesses have suffered but nobody cares. So I have made an appeal that if the work is complete by May 31 then it is fine. But if it is not completed, then the MLA must resign. Even all the elected representatives who are there should tender their resignation. You have failed in delivery. If you cannot deliver then you should go home. I will appeal to other Panjim residents as well to make the same demand,” he said.
“The situation is so bad that even ambulances cannot reach the colonies. We do not know what will happen if there are eventualities. Already a person has lost his life,” he said.
Former Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor and senior Councillor Uday Madkaikar supported Caculo’s saying people of St Inez area have suffered a lot.
“All the businessmen in the area have suffered a loss. It has been more than a year since the roads were dug. They are unable to run ACs due to the flying dust in the air. Restaurant business has been affected a lot. There is no sprinkling of water on roads. Deadline has been given but there is doubt that it will be met,” he said.
Sanjay Sarmalkar, a Panjim resident said, “The smart city work is substandard. I will suggest that Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) Sanjit Rodrigues should be replaced with someone with technical background.
IPSCDL has failed as it does not have competent people. Life and safety cannot be compromised for development.”
Another resident Avertino Miranda said, “The ongoing Smart City works has not only caused inconvenience to the residents of Panjim due to chaotic road conditions and dust pollution, but also a serious threat to life. At least two sewerage chambers built by the Smart City contractors in my area caved in due to inferior quality work, one on Dr Dada Vaidya Road and another opposite Massan de Amorim. An independent authority needs to conduct a quality audit of the Smart City works before any tragedy strikes the city pedestrians and commuters.”
