Panjim’s perennial problems
Herald looks at some of the issues that have been hanging fire over the years as govts have come and gone, and one single politician has represented the constituency for the past 20 years
The issues that plague Panjim and what affect the people are proper and clean roads, ample parking space, a garbage management system, working drainage system and adequate water supply. All these rate higher on a Panjim resident’s list of wants than the fancy infrastructure projects that have been promised in the manifestoes. No doubt Panjim residents look for a city that is modern and vibrant, but what they first want are basic amenities. Most of the items on the wish list are not major works that will require a major financial outlay. Ensuring parking for locals, a smooth flow of traffic through the city roads, or keeping the city garbage free do not require huge funds, but require instead the political will and willingness to listen to the masses.
Garbage Management
There appears to be no solution to the city’s garbage management problem. It looks as if the treatment plant at Bainguinim is never going to be completed and in the meanwhile the CCP’s garbage treatment plant at EDC Patto sends out a stink that wafts across the area, forcing visitors and people working in the area to hold their noses. Many of the buildings house government offices, including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and some schools right across the Ourem creek.
Parking
Finding an empty parking slot in Panjim on a weekday is a major exercise, at peak hours it is near impossible. One would be expect it to be easier at night and on Sundays but that too is changing. On certain roads finding parking spaces on any day of the week and at any time of the day or night is difficult. A plan to start a pay parking system in certain streets has not yet taken off.
Flooding
One heavy monsoon shower and certain areas like the approach road to Miramar, the road outside the police headquarters and the bus stand are flooded with water. In the Mala area, the problem is more complex and experts say that constructions have blocked the flow of water which then finds its way into the low lying areas of Mala. According to sources the people who knew the layout of the underground storm water drains and cross drains have retired or been transferred and there is almost nobody in the PWD who has any knowledge of them.
Water Contamination
The mixing of the sewage water with potable water is something that residents of the capital are met with regularly as the water pipelines and the sewage lines run parallel to each other.
The sewage lines are old and when the sewage seeps through it mixes with the water and the contaminated liquid then flows into people’s taps. The sewage lines are now being replaced but the pace of work is slow.
