VIBHA VERMA & SHWETA KAMAT
As the year 2018 begins, Herald highlights some of the problems plaguing the city for several years. Some of these include the rejuvenation of the St Inez Creek, water shortage problem, the chaotic traffic, haphazard parking, etc. Herald points out around 12 important issues which need fast-track solutions.
Pollution by casinos
Another crucial issue plaguing the capital city is the presence of off shore casinos in the already congested and polluted River Mandovi. Adding to the woes is soon-to-be-operational Casino Maharajah, as Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd has taken on lease for six months. The BJP-led government’s main task will be to fulfill its promise in its ‘common minimum programme’ to shift the off-shore casinos from the river, as its complete shutdown will affect jobs, revenue to government and tourism industry. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had, in the last monsoon session, announced that all offshore or floating casinos would have to shift to land-based operations within three years, and the locals, particularly Panjimites, expect the process to begin on fast track from this year onwards.
Traffic
Easing traffic situation is what Panjim needs on urgent basis considering that over 90,000 vehicles enter on the daily basis. The first phase of Patto-Mala Bridge was complete in a record breaking time, and the city-residents expect the second phase to be complete this year. The bridge, officials say, cuts down travel distance to 1.5 kms and saves time too. However, traffic woes at various points continue to haunt the commuters particularly during the peak hours. Ironically, the Panjim Traffic Cell also handles the traffic at Old Goa and Agassaim, in the limited staff strength.
Parking
The authorities have till date largely failed to tackle wrong parking and double parking, and this is yet another challenge for them. The pay parking system was a complete failure, hardly bringing discipline to the chaotic traffic. According to the Corporation of City of Panaji, Margao-based Straight Deal Services won the contract to implement the pay parking system but failed to pay CCP its dues. CCP had even issued a demand notice, before discontinuing the service, seeking recovery of the outstanding dues of Rs 24.75 lakh owed to the civic body as pay parking fees. The contractor instead made counter allegations that earnings were lower than estimated because CCP failed to demarcate the parking areas, allegations that CCP has repeatedly denied. It is now to see whether pay parking would return or will there be another plan to curb the menace, and penalise the violators.
Smart City
After a lull, the Smart City concept picked up last year impressing everyone, and with this also giving high hopes that projects taken up by Imagine Panjim Smart City Development Ltd are completed at the earliest this year. Adding more rental cycles to the existing fleet of 20 and completion of cycle track, proposed Integrated Command and Control Center that will help with issues connected to the smooth functioning of a city, are among several projects expected to complete. However, the tussle between CCP and GSIDC to implement Smart City could be the biggest roadblock for development, an issue that needs to be resolved on priority.
Water
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. This phrase goes well with several parts of Panjim and its outskirts like Ribandar where hardly any house has water supply for daily use and drinking purpose. Kadamba plateau which is just kilometres away from Panjim and fast emerging as the newest destination for real-estate is just one example of a thirsty place in and around the city. There are many places suffering the problem. At Kadamba plateau, water crisis is at its worst for the locals residing in the area and may worsen with more and more developmental projects coming up on the plateau. In the absence of a water-pipeline, the residents are forced to depend on either bore-wells or water-tankers. People hope that the yet unsolved problem is expected to find a solution.
Heritage precinct
The Fontainhas and Campal heritage zones continue to cry for attention for proper maintenance of the old architectural touch. Haphazard parking and littering at Campal precinct have turned out to be a messy affair and the deteriorating health of some structures is also posing risk of their very existence. Repeated complaints have hardly fetched results. This year government is likely to come out with a policy to protect the heritage structures, and this is what the residents are waiting for. On the other hand, several heritage structures at Fontainhas also seek attention even as the major problem is the flooding of houses during the monsoon.
Solution to Garbage
Despite the government proposing garbage treatment plants, a segregation facility and a dumping ground, almost nine years back, nothing has been done and a lot has to be focused in this New Year, as the city aims to become a Smart City. In the absence of dedicated garbage dumping site and treatment system, one often sees garbage being dumped along road side.
Panjim on an average generates 70 tonnes of garbage every day, which is dumped at Taleigao, Patto Plaza, (treatment plant) and at various compositing units. According to City Corporation of Panaji (CCP) statistics, a total of 130 compositing units are present across the city. However, the treatment capacity of these composting units and plants are very much limited.
In the New Year, all eyes are set on the commencement of the Bainguinim solid waste treatment facility, which will have a capacity to treat 100-250 tonnes of waste daily. The facility is said to be exclusively for Panjim and its surrounding areas and Old Goa.
St Inez Creek
The putrid St Inez creek flowing in the heart of the Capital city Panjim, which is highly contaminated with the raw sewage, is crying for attention for over a decade now. Successive governments have failed to take up the cleanliness cum rejuvenation of the creek. After many failures, CCP, through Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), has proposed development of St Inez creek at an estimated cost of Rs 88 crores. This will also include rejuvenation and development of sewerage management in the creek area under Smart City project.
Shifting of off-shore casinos
It is the 2012 election promise of the then BJP led government (in power till date). Deadlines after deadlines are not met something that one has witnessed in the last seven years. The Panjimites have been strongly opposing casinos in River Mandovi and have demanding its removal. Government has now promise to come out with a policy this month, which will spell out the fate of these casinos.
Sewerage
PWD has proposed Vacuum sewer scheme for Panjim city, providing house to house connections for low lying areas like Patto, Mala and St Inez, at a cost of Rs 8.72 crores. It is known fact that till date there are several houses in the city which are without toilets and there has been issue of open defecation. Capital city wishes to achieve open defecation free status by mid 2018
Third Bridge over River Mandovi
One of the ambitious projects that is likely to be completed by May this year is the third bridge over Mandovi. After missing out several deadlines owing to various judicial matters, the project has kicked off at good pace. The GSIDC claims that 65 per cent project work is complete. Though, at present, the construction of the third bridge has led to major traffic chaos, the operation of the same will reduce traffic burden from the existing two bridges.
Roads
It is something that needs uttermost attention. The roads in the city are totally damaged with tar being washed out as well as heavy potholes. The Panjimites have been crying for good roads for more than a year now. However, it is been completely ignored. Poor road conditions are even leading to major traffic congestions.
