Team Herald
PANJIM: Challenges encountered in implementing projects including inter alia, delay in obtaining clearances from different departments, land acquisition, groundwater issues, seasonal rains and others were some of the reasons for the delay in completing the Smart City works in Panjim.
This was informed by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu to a question tabled by MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade in the Rajya Sabha on Mon-day.
The minister said that besides the above reasons, challenges in vendor and resource avail-ability in the city and the procurement of construction material were the other reasons for the delay.
Panjim has taken various steps to expedite works like deployment of additional manpow-er, working in three shifts, close supervision by department concerned, etc, the minister informed Tanavade.
As apprised by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), in order to address public grievances arising from dust pollution, traffic congestion, road condi-tions and safety concerns due to Smart City works,
The special purpose vehicle (SPV) had taken several measures including, inter-alia, provi-sioning of alternative routes, daily updates on road diversions published in newspapers and on the official website, proper signage and barricading for smooth traffic flow and pedestrian safety, regular water spraying in construction zones, covering construction ma-terials, temporary road repairs and adequate lighting and installing reflectors and warning signs.
As on March 4, 2025, the IPSCDL has been able to claim Central financial assistance of Rs 441 crore under Smart Cities Mission, out of which Rs 411 crore have been utilised. Also IPSCDL has undertaken 51 projects amounting to Rs 1,051 crore, out of which 42 projects amounting to Rs 849 crore have been completed. Nine projects amounting to Rs 202 crore are ongoing, it was informed.
Also on the requests received from States/Union Territories, the Government of India has extended the Smart Cities Mission up to March 31, 2025, for completion of its all ongo-ing projects.