Submit detailed update on smart city roadworks: HC to AG

Panaji: The high court directed the advocate general to submit a detailed affidavit indicating the progress and timelines of the ongoing roadworks for the smart city in Panaji, along with reasons if deadlines are not adhered to and roadworks are not complete in all respects.

“In the affidavit, it should also be clearly stipulated the plan of action as to when the roadworks will be completed in all respects,” said the division bench of the HC comprising justices M S Karnik and Nivedita Mehta.

When the PILs filed by some Panaji citizens came up for hearing, advocate general Devidas Pangam said a few roadworks in progress in Panaji do not pertain to the smart city and the roads have been dug up to lay electricity cables.

The HC observed that though not a part of the smart city works, there is absolutely no tar on the Ribandar Patto to Chimbel junction road, where the work of laying sewerage lines, manholes, and house connections was to be undertaken.

Tarring of the road will be undertaken by the PWD Division-II (roads), the HC was told. It directed govt to submit an affidavit indicating the timeline by which the tarring will be completed in all respects.

The AG submitted to the HC that the works on the St Inez area involving utilities, drains, and footpaths were completed and the road made operational on Jan 12, but the work of developing parking spaces and tarring is in progress.

He added that the electricity department recently started laying a new cable on the same stretch and excavated a trench. The PWD has also undertaken the repair of the old sewerage line and the construction of a new manhole on the same stretch.

Smart city, he submitted, cannot be held responsible for completing all other works on this stretch. Tarring of the road cannot be completed until work by other departments is over, he said.

The AG submitted that the sewerage interconnection of the newly laid line to the existing main sewerage line on MG Road behind Mandovi Hotel, near Govinda Building, and near Café Real is under way, and the stipulated end date of work is Jan 25.

Pangam further submitted that the sewerage interconnection of the newly laid line to the existing main sewerage line on MG Road near Alfran Plaza is completed and backfilled with rubble soling. The barricades will be removed by Jan 20.

He added that works near Geeta Bakery and Don Bosco road at St Inez are completed and roads opened, but the work of developing parking spaces and tarring is in progress, expected to be completed by Jan 20.