Team Herald
PANJIM: 420 kms per hour is a reckless speed on any road. That seems to be the metaphorical speed, of reckless digging work in Panjim which has led to another calamitous fallout. Traders and businesses in Panjim have suffered massive business losses along with the fear of losing clients to competition in other parts of the city.
According to prominent businessmen, the city’s retail businesses have taken a severe beating.
This is on account of the drastic fall in revenue, as the Smart City works to continue without any deadlines or fixing responsibilities.
These businessmen have yet again called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take charge. The businessmen complain that it is impossible to approach their shops, and some have already been forced to shut their businesses.
Prominent businessman Manoj Caculo said, “Businessmen support Smart City works, but the manner in which they are being carried out is disturbing. There has been a loss in business. There are no deadlines set. There is an instance where a newly tarred road has been dug yet again which has led to a waste of public money.”
“There is a limit which people can bear. The St Inez area near Caculo Mall has now been closed for a year, leading to tremendous loss of business,” he added.
Former Deputy Mayor and Councillor Vasant Agshikar, who has been vocal on the issues surrounding the capital city said, “Several works, which I had suggested to the CCP on behalf of the people to be taken up on priority, have started. However, the complete mismatch between the CCP and the other agencies working in the capital city is absolutely visible.”
He said, “The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who usually were not to be seen on the ground, have started inspecting the works, which is a positive step.”
A city hotelier Gaurish Dhond said, “Inconvenience is caused as all the digging works have been taken up at once. There is no plan. A lot of businessmen have lost their businesses due to road closures. The work near Caculo Mall was expected to be finished in a time bound manner. However, it has been going on for last one-and-half years. People are losing their business. In case of disaster or emergencies the vehicles will not reach the spot on time.”
