Four years after Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Rohit Monserrate promised a permanent solution to Patto’s persistent waterlogging problems, the situation remains unchanged. Despite being one of the core areas of the so-called Smart City, Patto continues to suffer severe flooding at the slightest hint of rain.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the rainfall was far from intense — yet the roads in this vital commercial and administrative hub were submerged, causing traffic jams and significant inconvenience to visitors and office-goers alike.
Patto, once developed by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to shift government offices and de-congest the city, had to be sold off to private corporates after EDC faced financial trouble. Once seen as a prestigious enclave, it has since fallen into neglect — plagued by congested roads, poor drainage and deteriorating infrastructure.
To make matters worse, sewage frequently overflows from the drains, releasing a foul stench that fills the air. Pedestrians often have to cover their noses as they pass through the area.
Residents say the waterlogging has become hazardous, with frequent incidents of people falling off two-wheelers while navigating through knee-deep water.
“It’s shocking,” said a local resident, “that while the government proudly promotes Panjim as a smart city, one of its most important zones is left neglected and constantly flooded.”