PANJIM: Giving the coastal State a makeover to host eight meetings of the G20 summit is going to cost the State exchequer around Rs 300 crore.
Interestingly, with the first G20 Health Working Group Meeting scheduled to take place from April 17-19 in the capital city, the much-delayed and slow-paced work especially that of the Smart City that has left citizen anguished is likely to be fast tracked.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that for various infrastructure works and other activities and for smooth conduct of the G20 meetings, a total budget of Rs 300 crore has been earmarked across various departments.
He said that Goa is hosting the maximum number of eight G20 meetings over next few months starting from April.
On Tuesday, Sawant reviewed the preparations with various government officials.
The electricity department alone has spent around Rs 45 crore to revamp power infrastructure. Sources said that other agencies involved in G20 works are PWD, Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation, the Corporation of the City of Panaji and Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) among others, whose estimates are being work out.
G20 Nodal officer Sanjit Rodrigues said that ongoing Infrastructure related works are not easy to fast track. “As much as people have been put to a lot of inconvenience, the results will be seen soon and will benefit Goa. The last time such infrastructure related works were done was in 2003 when Goa hosted IFFI for the first time,” he said.
“All the concerned departments have risen to the occasion to put the infrastructure in place for the betterment of Goa, through G20,” Rodrigues, who was also the nodal officer when Goa hosted IFFI for the first time in 2003.
Rodrigues said that G20 meetings have led to fast track works being undertaken through the smart city (IPSCDL), electricity department, PWD and GWMC. He said that all the roadworks, beautification and waste management works have been taken up with right direction across the State of Goa.
“People’s anguish and worries will end soon, as they see the results in a matter of few days from now. Panjim which has faced major flak, has already got a new look and ready for the G20 meetings,” he said.
As per the information, the government has planned heritage walk for the guests to showcase the city’s rich architecture and heritage. “Government wants to highlight the city’s infrastructure facilities,” sources said.