SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Panjim is trying to remain at high cadastral among all other cities in India. Our Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with participation from the staff of Smart City Mission are trying their level best to see that Panjim is reached at number one among all other cities in the country.
There are several drawbacks and the main are the pothole-ridden roads. Whole city roads are dug up but still work for Smart City is going on in full swing. The reason is the funds allotted to Goa by the Centre needs to be exhausted by all means, otherwise it will be drawn back. According to my knowledge, I am sure this city will never be a Smart City due to many reasons.
The work of water pipeline I could see going on, now, is in full swing, where plans are there to clean up the St Inez Creek and sewage treatment plant, if there is an overflow. For that, a 20-cm diametre pipe is installed directing the flow possibly into the River Mandovi reservoir. This 20-cm diametre pipe has already reached near Bal Bhavan junction and halted at the main road as plans are not yet finalised for the water discharge routing. Another parallel line, a much huge about 40-cm diametre pipe is running and infact I have seen this line is made to pass below the main road without cutting the road and internally, the workers have dug up a channel, which is connected to a similar size of pipe to the other side, which is running from indoor stadium towards Kala Academy.
There is a possibility at this area the road may collapse in few years to come as this has made a weak area after digging to pass this 40-cm diametre pipe underneath, which is likely to connect to another similar size pipe coming from indoor stadium and going towards Kala Academy. This pipe is planned to draw much more water load which probably coming from Altinho and other areas of Panjim and St Inez.
I must stress here that Panjim city drainage is completely in a bad shape and Smart City Mission will never be able to set it right even after one year if a chance is given because the drainage slabs which are already fixed on various routes in the city has nine types of varieties and they are not uniform and badly designed.
The public is already inserting empty beer and cold drink bottles apart from all rubbish garbage in these openings and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) is unable to clean up. To make it professional, the authorities and Smart City higher ups must start removing all these slabs and replace with highly professional designed with minimum opening as it is done abroad. Only at one designated area meant as chamber for servicing can be kept for periodically lifting for assessment.
