PANJIM: They literally saw their world of business caving in, in front of their eyes as roads leading up to their shops were dug and remained that way as several so-called ‘smart’ moves plummeted their businesses. Now they are grappling with the looming fear of floods hitting Panjim since the efforts to keep Panjim dry through these smart worlds are likely to come a cropper.
The drains continue to be choked due to digging of roads and incomplete work of different projects of the smart city that were implemented at one go. It indicates that major flooding is imminent in the city during the monsoon, which is just weeks away.
Besides Camrabhat, 18th June Road, Mala, and EDC Patto Plaza which sees water logging every monsoon, apprehensions have been raised by the city residents and businessmen that major flooding is very likely to occur this coming monsoon in other areas particularly on the stretch from the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tonca to Caculo Mall, from Expert Pharmacy to Madhuban Circle, stretch from National Theatre to Govinda building and other road stretches in the city where Smart City works have been implemented.
“Looking at the current situation on the ground, I feel along with certain areas of the City, the local businesses may also submerge this coming monsoon. When the city will be flooded, people will consider staying indoors and no customers will turn up at my shop. Tough days ahead for my business,” Manoj Naik, manager of a mobile shop in Panjim said.
Rupesh Pujari, who operates a food joint in a rented premises at St. Inez claimed that the authorities concerned are not doing enough to reduce the potential damage that would be caused when the State’s capital city sees incessant rain.
“I agree with the statement of the people in power that Panjim flooded in every monsoon. But this year, it will be different and everybody knows the reason. If you see nobody is actually bothered to take preventive measures to reduce the potential damage. Everybody will be affected, be it vendors, small or big businessmen,” said.
A proprietor of a garment shop located at 18th June Road on the condition of anonymity said that people should brace for a “man-made” disaster during the monsoon.
“We are with the local MLA and we are for the development of Panjim. But this is not the way things should happen. It’s not only me alone who will be affected, if the area is flooded my business will get affected, I will suffer losses and my 20-odd workers who work for me, will also be affected,” he said.
“I didn’t make any profit and in fact suffered loss for over six months because the road in front of my establishment was dug up for laying sewer and utility lines. I have still not recovered from the losses and if this street is flooded in the monsoon, then my business will go down again. All drains are choked with debris so you will definitely see water logging here,” said a St Inez-based proprietor, who deals in electronic goods and related services.
