PANJIM: The Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) on Tuesday again sought more time to rectify deficiencies and to complete the pending works in the capital city.
During the hearing of public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Piyush Panchal, Alwyn D’Sa and Neelam Navelkar, all residents of Miramar, the petitioners produced 40 pages photographs to the Court about the incomplete Smart City works. They stated that there were several potholes in the city, while footpaths works were not completed and had not been made operational till date.
Seeking time to file a reply, the State government submitted that the potholes were caused due to incessant rains and will be repaired once rain subsides.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam said that the Smart road has been opened for vehicular traffic, while footpath works will also be completed after the monsoon subsides.
Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, Adv Shivan Desai said, “We submitted a 40-page compilation of photographs showing incomplete works across the capital city. The State government will look into it and come back.”
“The State government told the Court that it was difficult because of the rains but it was not the official response. The other petitioners wanted time. We placed 40 pages of photographs depicting incomplete works across the city. The matter has been postponed to Tuesday, August 5,” Desai said.
The matter was adjourned to next week as the counsel for the other PIL writ petition filed by Christus C Lopes and another sought time to submit the details of incomplete works observed by them.
Avertino Miranda, a prominent city resident, said, “The IPSCDL has left the works incomplete which is very dangerous. They have not covered some parts of the drains especially on Dada Vaidya Road, where they have left drains open.”
“However, same is the situation with most of other roads. There are school children, elderly people moving around. Sometimes you do not know how deep a drain is and people may fall inside,” Miranda said.
