At Smart City meet, citizens raise issue of unsafe streets

PANAJI: At a stakeholder meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Cafe Bhonsle Square, city businessmen on Tuesday raised the issue of lack of zebra crossings across the capital city, and pointed out to the risk senior citizens and children face while crossing busy streets.

Businessman Anand Madgavkar said this should be given priority over the re-development project.

Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri, MD & CEO, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), said that traffic lights will be installed in the capital city in eight months’ time where audio as well as visual signals will be provided to pedestrians who want to cross streets as well as to motor vehicle drivers.

Another resident raised the issue of uneven footpaths and the level of the roads rising after these are tarred.

Chaudhuri said the concept of universal footpaths are also being considered where continuity in footpaths will be maintained, with slopes created where they are found to be of uneven height.

Sidharth Kuncalienker, director, IPSCDL said the capital city may consider laying pavers on one of its streets to prevent the need to tar it annually.

Allaying fears that there will be less parking space available if the area around Cafe Bhonsle square is made vehicle-free, Chaudhuri said space at the square is currently being misused. “Give us an opportunity to show the people what pedestrianisation means. The capital city is already grappling with a vehicle problem, and instead of creating more parking spaces, IPSCDL wants to cut down on vehicle usage,” Chaudhuri said.

After the meeting, Chaudhuri said everybody supported the idea and that he would take the approval process to the government. He said the project will most likely be tendered by the end of the month.

Kuncalienker said they are looking to use the government garage at St Inez and the food corporation godown at Junta House for additional parking spaces.

The comprehensive mobility plan and parking master plan for Panaji has already been drafted and is in the final stages of approval. It will be opened for public consultation soon, he added.