Goa CM blames consultant for delay in smart city works, Real Estate News, ET RealEstate
PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said the consultant’s failure to plan the Smart City projects properly led to some of the works remaining incomplete on May 31.
The deadline was given by state govt to the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) for completing the ongoing works in the city.
“The consultant’s failure in planning has led to slight delays and has impacted the progress of the Smart City works. We appointed the wrong consultant. He was removed and at present, we are working alongside our in-house officers and engineers. I admit that there have been some imperfections in the work. However, all challenges have now been addressed effectively by PWD, Smart City and WRD,” the CM said.
Sawant said that the action is now being taken against the particular consultant by govt. He also said that some of the contractors did not deliver on their duties diligently.
Most of the work involving laying sewer lines and manholes throughout Panaji has been completed and only the house connections have to be done, the CM told reporters.
Earlier, he reviewed the ongoing Smart City works in Panaji along with revenue minister and city MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, mayor Rohit Monserrate, IPSCDL CEO Sanjit Rodrigues and officials of different departments.
“I appeal to the people of Panaji to acquire new sewerage connections so that the old lines can be disconnected,” he said.
Sawant said that a total of 58 residents and businesses in the St Inez area have been found releasing sewage into the creek.
“I have instructed the CCP engineer to tell the residents and businesses to stop the sewage discharge and get them connected to the new lines. Additionally, I have issued directions that if the people fail to comply within the next eight days, their electricity and water supply connections should be disconnected,” the CM said.
He said that 90% of the work on the Smart City projects in Panaji have been completed.
Laying of the new sewerage network was particularly challenging because the new system had to be installed next to the Portuguese-era sewerage system, while dealing with the water tables, Sawant said.
“Govt has constructed concrete roads under the Smart City mission. This initiative is undertaken with a vision for the next 25 years. We have developed separate lines for utilities and drainage systems so that the rainwater drains out smoothly,” he said.
Sawant said that some road stretches which are incomplete will be finished soon, adding that the work as part of smart road project on Caculo Mall junction to Tonca sewerage treatment plant stretch will be completed by June 6.
The CM regretted the inconvenience faced by the public during the ongoing Smart City works.
The revenue minister said govt should not have appointed a consultant who lacked knowledge about the city. He said that the work would have been better executed if govt had utilised the expertise of its engineers.
