PANJIM: Panjim, like other parts of the State was lashed by strong winds and unseasonal rains. In view of these weather conditions, Herald Media asked people, in the wake of strong winds, trees falling and incomplete Smart City works, is Panjim ready for the monsoons? Here are the responses……
On Monday we witnessed heavy rain showers and strong winds and the electricity went out in Dona Paula. It is crazy to see such weather on April 7, due to the extreme heat. And to see Panjim in such a bad state when such unseasonal showers lash the city, and the works of Smart City still not completed! They have been promising us every year that by the end of May the works will be completed. Trust me we are living in disaster, all the people living in and around Panjim. It is scary because the roads are not done up, shoddy work is being done, the footpaths are dangerous, since there are gaping holes where people walk. My mother, who is a senior citizen, herself had a fall at least three times from the bike due to the uneven surface and the gravel on the road. The works will not be over before the monsoons.
Cecille Rodrigues, Resident, Dona Paula
If you want to see the real situation, you can come with me to see the work done by Smart City. Smart City is only on paper and to fool the people by telling them that Panjim will become smart. The CEO Sanjit Rodrigues, told us when we went to meet him that Panjim should become a role model. Nobody is happy. The mayor himself has told the media that he himself is fed up. If the mayor is fed up, how will Panjimites be happy? Today they dig here, the next day some other place is dug. When they patch up the surface is dangerously uneven. I don’t think that there will be no flooding this year. There is no need for an expert to tell you this. Even an ordinary person in Panjim market will tell you whether the city is ready for the oncoming monsoons. The gutters are incomplete, there are heaps of mud which will seep into the gutters. All the road works are substandard.
Pratiba Borkar, President, Panjim Block Mahila Congress
I think that Panjim will definitely flood this year. We can say this with full guarantee. Just outside our office near Mahalaxmi temple, while breaking and reconstructing the manhole, the entire manhole is blocked. All over the city the situation is the same. Most of the debris has fallen into the manholes. They have given cosmetic finishing touches. Even the footpath tiles are breaking. In previous years, the flooding used to subside within about two hours. This time the water will not recede. Nobody is ready to take the responsibility for this. Infact (Mayor) Rohit Monserrate has declared that they have spoiled everything, they have laid the city waste and we are waiting for them to finish and move out of the city. We want to ask Rohit, every year your father gets you re-elected unopposed as the mayor. You are blaming the Smart City, you are the mayor, what were you doing all these years?
Francis Coelho, Resident, Taleigao