Panaji, found itself battling unexpected inundation on Saturday morning as unseasonal rain lashed several parts of the city. The downpour, relentless for about an hour, led to extensive flooding in various localities including EDC Patto complex, Mala, Bhatulem, Taleigao, and Bombay Bazaar.
Authorities had purportedly taken preventive measures ahead of the monsoon season, including desilting the gutters, as part of the ongoing Smart City project aimed at bolstering infrastructure and drainage systems, as reported by the Mayor of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
Mayor's Response and Shop Owners' Frustration
In response to the situation, the Mayor assured that the flooding was a temporary consequence of the heavy rainfall and that the city's drainage system would return to normalcy once the rain ceased. However, frustration brewed among shop owners in affected areas, who claimed recurring inundations have plagued their businesses for the past three decades.
The Mayor, while defending CCP's actions, attributed the flooding to the delayed initiation of work by the Smart City project. "We had a meeting with CS and Smart City MD on Friday about the same matter but they have not started the work," the Mayor stated, pointing fingers at the delay in implementing planned measures.
Concerns Over Long-term Solutions
The plight of shop owners on the 18 June Road underscores deep-rooted concerns about the efficacy of the measures undertaken by local authorities, including the purported gutter desilting. Their assertions highlight a longstanding issue that calls into question the sustainability of Panaji's infrastructure amidst changing weather patterns and urban development.