Managing Director and CEO of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited, Sanjit Rodrigues, on Thursday, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the ongoing Smart City works and provided figures of works undertaken, completion, and fresh deadlines while briefly touching upon a few problem areas. Rodrigues exuded confidence while speaking numbers, but probably for the first time, an attempt was made to explain the situation on the ground.
Interestingly, Rodrigues explained how festivals and events hosted in and around the capital city and the lack of coordination between the multiple contractors engaged for various projects added to the chaos. There is no denying the fact that the CEO put his best foot forward in trying to wade through the pile of mess that Panaji is grappling with, but there have been so many questions left unanswered that it appeared the numbers were being used as a front to conceal the real picture.
For example, who is responsible for coordinating with the contractors, and why could a system not be worked out for a seamless transition of work between contractors? It is unfortunate to see repetitive digging for the three projects — underground sewerage, water pipeline and smart roads that include drains and footpaths.
Moreover, there should have been better planning when roads were being dug out so that the movement of traffic is well-defined demarcating entry and exit points. In the current scenario, the haphazard and slow nature of work has hit traffic very badly. The decision to take up work on the MG Road only after the 18th June Road is complete is well-thought-out.
Understandably there are engineering challenges faced as listed out by Rodrigues, but before undertaking Smart City works all these situations like high water table and soil collapsing should have been factored in. Projects of such magnitude are not taken up randomly, and in fact, soil testing is mandatory. Agencies are normally hired to do soil profiles, a job that includes field investigation and laboratory work. Reports on the soil and the water table are presented by agencies after extensive studies. Panaji is low-lying and reclaimed land, and it is not a surprise that the city is at sea level. The engineering requirements of manhole pits should have been factored in considering the landscape of the capital city.
On Friday, Panaji MLA Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate with the CEO and the CCP team in tow moved to various Smart City sites to remove encroachments. It appears that leaders, including the Panaji MLA and the mayor, have woken up from their slumber after Utpal Parrikar, who was also in hibernation, made a pointed reference to chinks in the Smart City works in a recent press conference. Panaji does not need politically-compelled visits, but rather round-the-clock monitoring, inspections and assessments.
Rodrigues holds a track record of being an upright and hands-on officer, but through his presentation, he has only tried to balm the scarred citizens of Panaji mixing figures and percentages while conveniently refraining from the dark side of the disorder. The CEO, with the reputation that he carries, should not be a protective wall against failures, but rather be open to nightmare that Ponjekars are facing every single day.
