PANJIM: “You can see the gravity of dust pollution in Panjim,” remarked High Court judge Justice Mahesh S Sonak during the inspection of the ongoing smart city works in Panjim on Monday.
While inspecting the works, Justice Sonak noticed that the roof of a general store near St Inez Church covered with a blue plastic and dust accumulated on it. Drawing the attention of his colleague Justice Valmiki SA Menezes and Managing Director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) Sanjit Rodrigues, Justice Sonak said, “You can see the gravity of dust pollution.”
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Justice Sonak’s statement dropped enough hits about the dust pollution despite efforts by the IPSCDL officials and the contractors sprucing up the area and sprinkling water from the tankers on the roads to mitigate dust pollution.
After walking about a few metres, industrialist Manoj Caculo met both judges and narrated the ordeal faced by the citizens and business community due to closure of roads and dust pollution on account of the digging of roads.
Caculo told the judges the roads have been sprinkled with water only because of the visit of the High Court judges.
Caculo said, “This is the last hope. We have full faith in the judiciary. We hope that some directions will be issued by the court.”
Caculo’s was followed by another remark from Justice Sonak, who said, “They have sprinkled water on the roads, but if you look at the trees on top, you get an idea of dust gathered on them.”
Looking at the haphazard work and complaints by citizens that excavated mud is being dumped in the drains, Justice Sonak opined with the deposition of mud could lead to desilting work.
Some of the citizens took an opportunity to meet the judges and air their grievances.
Girish Mahale, a resident of Panjim, requested both the judges to visit Dada Vaidya Road and see for themselves the standard of works being undertaken.
He complained that the road has been rebuilt above the footpath and fear that it may cause flooding during monsoon.
“I have never seen that roads have been built above footpaths, this is unplanned and unprofessional works, he said.
Justice Sonak agreed to visit Dada Vaidya Road and had first-hand experience of the works. He also inspected the works carried out on Dr Atmaram Road.
During the inspection at St Inez, it nostalgic for retired High Court staffer Mrs Soares, who met both the judges, who were pleased to meet her and enquired about her health.
