Goa’s capital Panaji located on the banks of the Mandovi River estuary could have been maintained as a glorious city. But from traffic congestion, parking vows, garbage disposal crunch to the increasing lawlessness it has been clogged with it all. Panaji which was initially a small fishing hamlet and a coconut grove was later Adil Shah’s summer getaway by the river. Later as a city under the Portuguese rule it transformed into a modern city post liberation and subsequently from a municipality to a Corporation. Panaji has come a long way, seen many changes in its landscape and administration. The city requires on a priority a policy that adopts mandatory reforms that will shape its growth and provide solutions to many of its countless issues. There is need of landmark improvements which will in turn ensure permanence of all the improvements that the city will undergo. The annual IFFI whitewash the government buildings get is an eyewash that fools no one. Panaji needs a vision that would reflect its true character. Whatever remains of its uniqueness needs to be maintained. There should never have been an attempt to tamper with its natural topography and water bodies, the creeks, mangroves, lake and khazaan lands within and along the boundaries. The fresh water springs with quaint public spaces also adds to Panaji’s ecological and perennial bounty. All this needs to be conserved and protected from indiscriminate spewing of sewage, garbage and construction while allowing the people of Panaji to enjoy many of its benefits. The Santa Inez creek as a touristic spot could have been a revenue generating channel. But for lack of political will it continues to be enveloped in foul stench for decades. Even the well documented Panaji Market scam lies conveniently shelved. That Panaji still witnesses floods every monsoon has not been a matter of concern to the authorities. Moving some High Schools from Panaji to the outskirts of the city at Cujira in Santa Cruz was a step in the right to direction to deal with the escalating congestion in the city. But the increasing number of high rise buildings allowed in the city has neutralized that effort. In the Goa Vision Document 2012 – 2017 it was promised that new construction projects would be approved only after confirmation of availability of infrastructure such as electricity and water supply, parking, sewage and garbage disposal etc. Can the government enlighten us as to how many new buildings in the city have been permitted after complying with these guidelines? In 2012 we were promised a garbage management for the entire state within 18 months and a plastic free Goa within three years. We were also lured with supply of 12 hour uninterrupted drinking water within two years. It’s almost three years and all that was promised is nowhere in sight even for the capital city. The garbage crisis is escalating, plastic strewn all over and on some days a few drops trickling down the tap. The stray dog menace in the city is also of immense concern. We were also assured of participatory governance to ensure that planning is done by local self bodies as envisaged in the 73rd and 74 the amendments but even in the so called master plan for Panaji the Corporation of City of Panaji was not consulted or taken into confidence. It is pertinent for the government to maintain transparency, inclusiveness and participation from its citizens at all stages in whatever is planned for the city. Ostensibly for monetary gains those in power have allowed the capital city to be clogged with Casinos. Besides transforming Panaji into a gambling hub the city today is witnessing the other side effects of Casinos by way of increasing prostitution and the drug trade which has further submerged and sullied the reputation of our city. Planning of any city should be keeping in mind the long term needs. That the very busy Miramar – Dona Paula Road is being reduced from the current four to three lanes is a step in the reverse direction. It is nice to have a cycling and jogging track and even a lane for stray cattle could be provided. But all this not while curbing the lanes for motorized traffic. Panaji today lacks amenities, inadequate infrastructure, high population density, the inability to maintain cultural heritage, as well as degradation in environmental aspects such as green cover and air and water quality. The city requires a more dynamic foresight on what the city needs to do to absorb this growth, function effectively and remain livable. Despite having a so called very knowledgeable IITian as the MLA of Panaji for an uninterrupted 20 long years, the city’s vows have just piled up with Panaji’s pathetic state of affairs going from bad to worse. The hope for Panaji will also not surface by appointing fancy national or international consultants who will only end up generating glossy plans. The potential of our city and the path ahead must evolve and be thoughtfully carved by the people living in the city who know the city and genuinely care for it. Panaji has all the talent and the required intelligence. We need to move ahead with confidence, less talk and more action. Citizens of Panaji need to put their hands and heads together to shape and preserve what remains of the city for the future. We cannot allow the city we proudly lived in to die of decay and degradation. At least for the sake of posterity. We owe it to them.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 05:11:35 +0000
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