IPSCDL blames Goa Natural Gas for unauthorised works, says footpath damaged despite ongoing defect liability period
PANAJI
With Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) having recently submitted to the Bombay High Court at Goa that all major works in the city, save part of the 200-meter tail end of the Sewerage Project was completed, one thought the capital city would be free of the road-digging and chaos it faces over nearly four years.
But earlier this week, workers were seen digging roads at some locales, especially along the MG Road but IPSCDL claimed it was due to some damage caused to its infrastructure by Goa Natural Gas Private Limited (GNGPL).
In a late-night statement on Wednesday, IPSCDL said it has formally lodged a police complaint against GNGPL for "unauthorized excavation and damage to public infrastructure.
IPSCDL said, that along the P Shirgaonkar Road, near St Inez, Taj Vivanta junction, GNPL carried out excavation works on the newly constructed footpath— developed under the Smart Cities Mission — without obtaining prior permission from it.
"This footpath is still under the Defects Liability Period (DLP) and remains under the maintenance purview of IPSCDL and the unauthorized activity not only violates norms but also results in damage to public property, causing inconvenience to citizens and disrespecting the sanctity of a nationally significant project,” said a senior official of IPSCDL.
IPSCDL has urged the authorities to take strict legal action under applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant laws pertaining to damage to public property and unauthorised excavation.
Photographic evidence of the damage has also been submitted along with the complaint, it added.
Meanwhile, an IPSCDL official said, the digging along the MG Road was minor and carried out by civic authorities to desilt cross-drains as a pre-monsoon measure to avoid flooding when rains hit.
