PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the State government to specify by Wednesday, the time-line for completion of the stretch of Smart City road work from Caculo Mall to Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tonca.
While hearing two public interest litigation (PIL) writ petitions, the Court has asked the government and the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (OPSCDL) to specify the time-line along with bar chart as to when the Smart City road stretch will be fully functional and operational.
The Court has also asked the government to specify the final deadline for completion of all the works as per contract with the contractors.
Adv Abhijit Gosavi, appearing for two petitioners Christus C Lopes and Sadanand Vaingankar, stated that the Court had earlier asked the IPSCDL to complete all works by May 31, this year. But now they are asking for more time to complete the works. The works undertaken by the contractors cannot be temporary works and that such works cannot be washed away in rains, Adv Gosavi said.
Adv Gosavi said that during the last hearing, he had produced photographs along with the affidavit showing incomplete roads and how these were unmotorable. But the adding that the IPSCDL had sought more time to rectify deficiencies and to complete the pending works in the capital city.
During the last hearing, Adv Gosavi had also urged the Court to constitute an independent committee to investigate into the delay in completion of works, substandard quality works, audit the status and quality of the works carried out under the Smart City projects and adherence to the contractual obligations by the contractors.
The Court has now asked the government and the IPSCDL to submit details of contract entered with the contractors to undertake works under the Smart City Mission in the capital city.
The Court has posted the matter for further hearing on Wednesday.
