Staff Reporter
Panaji
High Court judges Justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki SA Menezes on Monday conducted an inspection of the works being carried out under the Smart City Mission, which have been in the eye of the storm over dust pollution.
During the inspection, Panaji residents raised their concerns over the dust pollution and haphazard execution of the works.
To begin with, the judges inspected the road stretch from St Inez junction near Hotel Vivanta up to Hotel Sheetal junction, which is currently closed for vehicular traffic and where dust pollution is a major concern. Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) CEO Sanjit Rodrigues said the curing period for the road is on currently, and that it would be open for traffic on April 10.
Rodrigues also informed the judges that digging along this stretch was carried out multiple times due to laying of several utility lines at different depths.
The judges then walked up to Caculo Mall junction and then up to the main road near the Goa College of Home Science to inspect the works.
They also visited the areas near the Church Square and a stretch of Dr Dada Vaidya Road.
During the inspection, a citizen rued that they have suffered a lot due to dust pollution for the last six months.
Another resident said there are no engineers and supervisors to monitor the worksites.
They claimed that water sprinklers were deployed as the inspection had been scheduled.
No digging should be allowed on new roads till the works are completed on old stretches, the citizens insisted.
Speaking to media persons after the inspection, Rodrigues said, “We have presented our point of view before the court.”
Commenting on the suggestions made by local residents, Rodrigues said, “All suggestions are welcome. We are working with everybody. It is not only that suggestions have come today. They have been pouring in, and we have been working on them. There are no question of selective working on the suggestions.”
When asked about the allegations that Smart City works were stopped on Sunday, he said, “I have no comments. You treat your allegations at your level. You have seen the work going on. Don’t bring allegations here.”
When asked about people alleging that the clearing and cleaning of the roads had been carried out due to the inspection, Rodrigues retorted, “I am not bothered about people. We work as per our schedule.”
While hearing two PILs on March 27 regarding problems being faced by the residents due to the ongoing works, the judges had scheduled the April 1 visit to inspect the works.
It was alleged in the PILs that the developmental works are being carried out without supervision, planning and in a haphazard manner.
The matters will come up for hearing today (April 2)