Team Herald
PANJIM: Despite missed deadlines, High Court intervention and lives lost on account of Smart City works, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade stated that the project benefits will be realised once it is completed. The MP's remark has not gone down well with the city residents, who have questioned the Parliamentarian as to how will the project benefit them when there is complete mismanagement and lack of planning.
Addressing a press conference in the city, Tanavade said, “We face difficulties when some development work is taken up but we realise its benefits when the work is completed. I am not saying that there are no problems. We had faced problems when the new Zuari Bridge was being constructed. Once I missed my flight. But those were the days when people would say that they were not certain when they would reach their destination but now you can give someone time and reach accordingly.”
Reacting to Tanavade's remark, Dr Odette Lobo, a city resident, said, “What benefit we are talking about. People are facing hardship as vehicles are parked haphazardly. Many coconut trees have been cut using earthmovers. There is no proper supervision of the work. They are breaking pipelines, sewage pipes, and cables. They break footpaths and roads again and again.”
“There are no proper signboards. Traffic police are not seen on the roads. There are neither proper lights nor proper signages. It is our life which is at risk. Most roads are either partially closed or fully closed. How will people move in the city? There is only mismanagement. The smart city work is being executed without planning. I do not think it is a smart city. It is only for the smart pockets. You can see what has happened at Cafe Bhonsle. It is a complete mess. A beautiful triangle has been finished,” she said.
“They allowed buildings to come up on the original drains which were constructed during Portuguese rule. They should have consulted those who knew the city well. It is a racket. Roads are being dug twice and thrice,” she added.
Ketan Govekar, another resident, said, “The infra project is taking time. Always patchwork was done. I don’t think that the work will be completed by March 31, 2025. It is not a realistic deadline.”