The Panjim Mayor's recent castigating remarks against the ever-dragging-on Smart City works in Panjim point to the rot we have been seeing in the city—nearly more than two years of deadlines and lies.
This is not the first time that the mayor has expressed his displeasure over the shoddy works that have been mostly restricted to mere paving of the streets, a face-saving cosmetic exercise and nothing more.
The mayor too breathes the same polluted Panjim air as others. Given this, he could have done better by questioning the Smart City officials and putting things in order in the beginning.
Speaking against the works now means nothing. He too owns the city as much as the citizens do and is now equally responsible for the mess we are in because he is part of the system that let this happen.
The monsoon season is almost here, but before that, we have the pre-monsoon shower test, which the city has always failed. Panjim is already showing signs of distress and the first heavy pre-monsoon shower will be nothing different. So, let's pray and brace ourselves to tide over the worst.
Panjim is already showing signs of distress and the first heavy pre-monsoon shower will be nothing different. So, let's pray and brace ourselves to tide over the worst.
It’s not like this wasn’t predicted. For more than two years, deadlines have come and gone, just like the promises. Some of the streets in the city are still under barricades, dust, and confusion. And now, all of that poor planning and shoddy execution is just waiting to show in the rain.
Let's be honest, we all know closer to the beginning of the rains, work will see a hurried pace with last-minute patchwork here and there. If the works have been dragging on for more than two years, it means this is a Smart City plan that is being executed without any priority.
This is about people's money being spent without any thought or care and the same people's suggestions thrown out without an afterthought. There is no audit of funds spent versus results delivered. If there is any accountability, please share it in the public domain.
The mayor's outrage against the Smart City works sounds more symbolic than genuine. If there was any genuineness, then he could have done better and not gone for damage control. Citizens were looking up to him, but alas!
This is about people's money being spent without any thought or care and the same people's suggestions thrown out without an afterthought.
For more than two years, Panjimites have waited patiently for the executioners of the Smart City plan to learn a few valuable lessons. But, none have been learnt. Instead, what we have seen is Panjim's soulful character being chipped away by neglect.
Panjim never asked for smartness. It was dressed like a beautiful bride which has now been stripped of its beauty in some places. All that we see are cosmetics, a bride wearing heavy makeup and robbed of all her glory.
Before Smart City, Panjim withstood many storms. The River Mandovi that flows through the city, its old heritage buildings, its gardens, and its boulevards have stood witness to these storms.
With the way the works are still dragging on, it appears the entire thing is an urban experiment gone all wrong. Where are the promises of smooth traffic, better waste management and clean public spaces? These are the deliverables of a Smart City and we don't see them anywhere.
With the way the works are still dragging on, it appears the entire thing is an urban experiment gone all wrong.
What's the guarantee after the Smart City works are officially declared completed there will be no digging and re-digging? This is the way we operate, an apathy which we have come to live with.
Works like tarring of roads, clearing and cleaning of drainages, and laying footpath pavers are not what being smart is all about. These existed before and are not add-ons. People need to know what's new and smart about the city.
The cycle of digging and re-digging gives an indication of piecemeal works. The Smart City officials can do better – once and for all, lay the cables, water lines and drainages and get it done with instead of digging on forever.
The Smart City needs to serve its people and not the other way round. It is the people of this city who call Panjim their home and they do not want it to be an eyesore under the guise of being ‘smart’.