PANJIM: Faced with the prospects of High Court Judges inspecting the progress of Smart City works in critical areas on Monday, April 1, the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd officials are running from pillar to post to mitigate dust pollution caused due to digging.
To address dust pollution, the IPSDCL and the contracted agencies such as M/s Bagkiya, M/s MVR and M/s Bansal are tasked with implementing various measures. Water sprinkling is conducted twice daily in construction zones, with more emphasis to areas where dust generation is high, such as during road surface scarification and manhole excavation.
The IPSDCL has introduced sweeping and hosing of roads to complement dust control efforts, starting from April 1.
The IPSDCL is collaborating with PWD and GSUDA to address traffic management concerns ascending from construction activities.
To ensure road safety and minimise inconvenience to the public, IPSDCL and its contracted agencies has taken several traffic management measures.
These include providing adequate signage at work sites with to alert commuters about road closures and diversions. Phased road closures are implemented to facilitate ongoing work while maintaining traffic flow, with alternate access routes provided for commuters where possible.
During their visit, the Judges will find out whether the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has fulfilled their assurance.
While hearing two public interest litigation (PIL) writ petitions on March 27, the division bench comprising Justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki SA Menezes, stated, “We propose to hear the matter in further detail on 02.04.2024. Before that, we have scheduled a site visit on 01.04.2024 at 5.00 pm, so that we are in a position to understand the issue better.”
The residents of St Inez, Panjim have however slammed the IPSCDL and the contractor for undertaking the Smart City works in an unplanned manner and causing health problems to them due to dust pollution.
Former CCP councillor Dinesh Salgaonkar said, “Dust pollution has become a major problem in the area. We are unable to open our doors and windows for the last six months since the works are carried out. I am now using blinds to prevent dust from entering my flat. Senior citizens residing in the apartments are affected as they cannot breathe fresh air.”
Santosh Kuncalienkar, a businessman from St Inez said, “I have closed by café for last one month due to dust pollution. The works at St Inez was undertake in a haphazard manner and without proper planning. No proper road access was kept for the residents and is caused lot of hardships to them.”
