Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Apr 1: Hopes of smooth, dust-free roads in Panaji proved to be nothing but an April Fool’s prank, as the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) failed to meet the deadline it had committed to the high court of Bombay at Goa. Despite assurances, multiple roadworks across the city remains far from completion.

Residents of Panaji have been waiting for nearly seven years for the Smart City Mission and AMRUT projects to be completed. However, several key stretches, including the main M G Road, Rua de Ourem, Dr Pandurang Pissurlekar Road, and 18th June Road, remain incomplete. Many roads are still dug up, with trenches loosely covered with mud and gravel, causing inconvenience to commuters.

The ongoing work to lay the final section of the sewerage network at Taad Maad, St Inez, remains in progress. While 2,800 meters of the 3,000-meter roadwork were completed, the remaining 200 meters were expected to be finished by March-end, as per the affidavit filed in court.

Similarly, 13,800 meters of roadwork on Rua de Ourem was also supposed to be completed by March-end. However, ground realities tell a different story. Several stretches, including those near Don Bosco school, Café Bhonsle square, General Bernardo Guedes Road to Geeta Bakery, and Atmaram Borkar Road, remain riddled with debris and incomplete construction.

Attempts to contact IPSCDL CEO Sanjit Rodrigues for an update proved futile, as he remained unavailable throughout the day. However, sources at IPSCDL stated that while construction work continues, most road closures have been lifted, allowing traffic to flow.

The agency intends to asphalt the roads in May, allowing the dense bitumen macadam (DBM) layer laid in March to settle adequately. Landscaping and tree plantation are also planned for June to ensure higher plant survival rates.

Rodrigues had previously stated that delays were caused by unseasonal rains, bureaucratic hurdles, and complications arising from high groundwater tables and tidal movements. Despite these challenges, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had directed states to complete all Smart City Mission works by the end of March.

Residents, however, continue to face inconveniences as the promised Smart City transformation remains a distant dream.