Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 2: After over three years of road digging, traffic snarls, and a prolonged legal battle in the Bombay High Court at Goa, Panaji is finally set to breathe dust-free, cleaner air. Authorities have announced the completion of all major infrastructure projects under the Smart City Mission.

Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) managing director and CEO Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, confirmed that all major road and sewerage work had been completed, adhering to court-mandated timelines. While some minor finishing work is underway, it will not impact traffic movement, he assured.

"As of April 1, there is no road closure, barricading, open trenching, or digging in Central Panaji under the Smart City Mission," Rodrigues said.

Bituminous concrete laying, road painting, traffic signage installation, and rectification of settlements caused by deep sewerage digging will be completed by May 31. Landscaping and tree plantation work will follow by June 30.

One small section near Café Bhosale Square is still undergoing 'curing' after concreting and will be open in a couple of days. However, a 200-meter sewerage stretch from Tadmad Temple to the STP at Tonca remains incomplete due to complex 12-meter-deep excavation work. Rodrigues said additional time would be required to finish this section before the road is concretized.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited Ro-Ro ferry jetty at Ribandar is also completed and will be handed over to the River Navigation Department (RND soon. The department will conduct trial runs before launching ferry services.

With Panaji’s road chaos nearing its end, residents can finally look forward to smoother commutes and a transformed cityscape under the ambitious Smart City project.