Panaji’s Mayor, Rohit Monserrate, expressing profound dissatisfaction with the execution of projects under the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL).
Citing widespread public frustration, Mayor Monserrate on Monday lambasted the “horrible” quality of completed infrastructure works, directly attributing the deficiencies to the “stupidity” and “failure” of IPSCDL engineers. The Mayor’s scathing remarks underscore a growing concern among Panaji’s residents who have endured two years of ongoing Smart City initiatives, only to witness the rapid deterioration of completed projects. “The quality of the smart city work is horrible. It has been going on for two years and people are fed up. We are the most fed up,” asserted Monserrate, reflecting the palpable exasperation of the city’s populace. His statement further called for the immediate cessation of IPSCDL’s involvement in the city, demanding, “We want them out of the city as soon as possible.”
A core grievance highlighted by Mayor Monserrate is the apparent lack of rigorous oversight by IPSCDL on the ground. He pointed out the premature decay of infrastructure, stating, “If you walk through some of the areas, the pavers have already fallen apart. I have not seen anyone from smart city monitoring.” This absence of proactive quality control, according to the Mayor, signifies a systemic failure on the part of IPSCDL. He advocated for a significantly more robust monitoring mechanism, suggesting that IPSCDL engineers should conduct thorough audits of completed works at least every five to fifteen days. The repercussions of these poorly executed projects are disproportionately felt by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), which finds itself at the receiving end of citizen complaints. “The moment they do not do something, it is we who have to respond to the calls. It is a waste of our time and everyone’s time,” Monserrate lamented, highlighting the operational burden placed on the local governing body due to the shortcomings of the Smart City Mission’s implementation arm.
Dismissing claims by IPSCDL Chief Executive Officer Sanjit Rodrigues that 90% of the Smart City Mission projects are complete, Mayor Monserrate stated unequivocally, “Obviously not.” He further highlighted the exclusion of crucial areas like 18th June Road from the current scope of work, raising questions about the prioritisation and efficacy of the planning process. The Mayor emphasised the CCP’s proactive role in addressing citizen grievances by “forcing” IPSCDL officials to rectify the identified issues. With the looming monsoon season, the urgency to address these infrastructural frailties has intensified. Mayor Monserrate stressed the need for immediate action, stating, “We don’t want to wait for the monsoons to come and then start addressing the issues. It has gone on long enough, it must come to an end. We just want their contractors to wrap up their work and leave.”
The situation in Panaji serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning, stringent quality control, and effective inter-agency coordination in the pursuit of sustainable urban development. While the Smart City Mission holds the promise of transforming urban landscapes into eco-friendly and equitable spaces, the experiences in Panaji underscore that the success of such initiatives hinges on diligent execution and a deep sense of accountability towards the citizens who are meant to benefit from these advancements. The ongoing saga in Panaji calls for a thorough reassessment of project management practices to ensure that the vision of smart, sustainable cities translates into tangible and durable realities for all residents.
Smart City Work in Panaji Slammed
