PANJIM: Amidst traffic congestion and chaos in the capital city due to haphazard digging of roads under Smart City Mission, the coastal State is geared up to host the first meeting of Group of Twenty or G20 from Monday.
The first of the eight meetings scheduled in the State starts from April 17 to 19 at Grand Hyatt, Bambolim after India formally assumed G20 Presidency in December last year.
The closure of Atal Setu Bridge for resurfacing work, compounded with ongoing digging of most of the major roads as part of infrastructure works in view of G20 summit led to a chaotic traffic condition in Panjim and nearby suburban areas like Porvorim and Merces.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa took suo moto cognisance of the frequent traffic congestion in Panjim and issued notices to the Department of Transport, Tourism, PWD, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and the agency executing Smart City works.
However, the authorities seem to have engaged in a damage-control mode and are undertaking changes to the defaced city by hotmixing roads and planting saplings to give it a picturesque view.
According to Sanjit Rodrigues, Secretary (Protocol) and Nodal Officer G20, significant improvements have been made to the medians and traffic islands to accommodate the G20 delegates visiting the State. He said that landscaping and greenery will enhance the value of places, Plants have been selected carefully and planted, which suit to the climate in Goa.
The median and roadside plantation project is expected to give a new and greener look to the dividers and roads in the State. The project is part of the State’s efforts to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment, which is in line with the goals of the G20 meetings scheduled in the State.
A delegation comprising Chief Coordinator G20 had visited the State last month to review the State’s preparedness for the Summit. However, the citizens fear that after the construction of the cruise boats jetty terminal at the Santa Monica Jetty, the congestion at the entry of the city is going to increase manifold.
Meanwhile, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise B20 Digital Health Summit with the theme Digital Health – Building One Health Together’ on Sunday, April 16 at Cidade de Goa Resort, Dona Paula, which will be aligned with the G20 agenda on Promoting Health and Wellbeing by leveraging Digital Health towards One Earth, One Health.