PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed on Thursday that 33 per cent of the Smart City works, worth Rs 335.42 crore, have been completed so far - even as the Opposition called it a major scam and demanded a judicial inquiry.
In response to a starred question jointly tabled by Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and LoP Yuri Alemao regarding Smart City projects in the Assembly, Sawant stated that all ongoing works would be completed by October this year. He expressed confidence that Panjim would resemble a Smart City once all projects are 100 per cent complete. The total works approved under the Smart City Mission amount to Rs 952.90 crore, he told the House.
The Opposition grilled the government for the second day over substandard Smart City works. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai demanded a judicial inquiry by a former judge, while Alemao referred to mission as a ‘Gotala’ (scam) and reiterated his demand for a House Committee to investigate irregularities in the Smart City projects.
Alemao pointed out that the delays in the works were attributed to the damage caused to existing utilities and the lack of soil testing before executing the works.
Regarding the delays, the CM stated that the contractors had already received show-cause notices. However, Sardesai demanded that copies of the show-cause notices be presented on the table of the House, adding that the responsibility for the damages should be fixed.
Additionally, the CM mentioned that since October 2 last year, there have been eight incidents of roads caving in and water and sewage pipeline breakages. In five cases, the rear wheels of trucks/tankers caved into manholes, and in two incidents, damage to water pipelines near Caculo Mall and damage to the old existing sewerage line near Sheetal Hotel junction were reported.
Sawant further claimed that all traffic signals supervised and managed by Goa Traffic Police are operational except at Caculo Mall, Panjim, due to ongoing construction at the site.