Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs assessed key urban development initiatives implemented under flagship missions such as the Smart City Mission (SCM) and other transformative national programs during a two-day visit to Goa.
This visit aimed to evaluate Goa’s strides in urban development with the committee engaging in comprehensive discussions with stakeholders and reviewing landmark projects.
The delegation, comprising of around 25 Members of Parliament and senior officials, focused on initiatives under flagship missions including Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and Prime Minister Street Vendor’s Atma .Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi).
A series of engaging activities and discussions marked the highlights of the program co-ordinated by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL). Delegates embarked on site visits in and around Panaji of key projects under the Smart City Mission, AMRUT, and SBM-U. These visits included projects on sustainable infrastructure developments, digitized citizen service platforms, innovative waste management systems and enhanced public spaces in Panaji.
During the two day visit, the delegation along with officials from the Goa State Government, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and key financial institutions such as HUDCO, NBCC, CPWD, SBI and Canara Bank engaged in a host of deliberations and discussions revolving around urban development.
Panel discussions explored key topics, including infrastructure development, sanitation, and waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). Detailed reviews were presented on the contributions of CPWD, NBCC, and HUDCO to urban development, along with progress updates on flagship initiatives such as PMAY-U, PM SVANidhi and DAY-NULM. The discussions also highlighted the transformative role of the National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) in fostering digital innovation, emphasizing capacity building, training, and sustainable funding strategies for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and municipal bodies.
The Parliamentary Committee emphasized the need for comprehensive planning to improve infrastructure maintenance and extend sewerage and water supply coverage. It also called upon banks and financial institutions to design innovative financing models to accelerate infrastructure development in Goa.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs commended Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) for its notable contributions to infrastructure development in Panaji. During their visit to several sites showcasing Smart City Mission initiatives, the visiting delegation appreciated IPSCDL’s successful achievements in transforming urban spaces.
Key sites visited by included the River Mandovi Promenade, Campal Parade Ground & Stadium, the new IPSCDL Headquarters and the Smart Road in St. Inez, all of which received acclaim for their design, functionality, and impact on the city.
