By Pradeep Padgaonkar
In recent years, the term “Smart City” has become synonymous with urban modernization, improved infrastructure, and enhanced quality of life for residents. However, in the case of Panaji, Goa’s capital city, this vision has soured into a disheartening saga of destruction and discontent. Residents have witnessed on-going turmoil for over three years, and instead of the promised developments, they are left grappling with a deteriorating urban environment.
The initiative, led by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL), was launched with lofty ambitions: to transform Panaji into a sustainable, technologically-driven urban centre that improves the overall living standards of its citizens. Yet, as work continues at a snail’s pace, the reality on the ground tells a starkly different story. The roads are in disarray, businesses are suffering, and the daily lives of citizens have been turned upside down.
The primary concern for the people of Panaji revolves around the sheer scale and management of the on-going projects. What was supposed to be a streamlined effort to beautify and modernize the city has instead resulted in a chaotic scene of construction debris, barricaded roads, and submerged neighbourhoods. If Vigilance department was not in coma, people would have been saved of much of this trouble. However it is not the case. All authorities that are responsible for checks and balances have been caged. Those responsible to question them do not do so. But more importantly, voice of the people which in a democracy has to be heard, has gone in silence mode and that is what gives the government the licence to do whatever it wants. Residents have on few occasions voiced their frustrations, but their concerns appear to have fallen on deaf ears. While the IPSCDL has issued assurances of progress and completion timelines, those dates keep getting pushed further into the future, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty.
Moreover, the state government’s apparent indifference to the plight of the citizens has only exacerbated the situation. With infrastructure projects, transparency and accountability are crucial. Yet, it seems that the local leadership has turned a blind eye to the growing discontent, perhaps in the name of a vision that feels increasingly elusive. As businesses close their doors and residents grow weary of the persistent disruptions, the question looms: is this the future that the government envisioned for Panaji?
The cumulative effect of this mismanagement is not just physical; it’s emotional and psychological. The erosion of trust between the residents and authorities is palpable. Meetings have been held, plans have been shared, and promises made. Yet the reality remains that for many citizens, the idea of a “Smart City” feels more like a city of ruins—where the vibrancy and cultural richness of Panaji are overshadowed by construction woes and uncertainty.
Local activists and community leaders have called for renewed dialogue and an inclusive approach to development. They argue that a true “Smart City” should prioritize the needs and concerns of its residents over high-tech solutions that may not fit the community’s context. There have been calls for transparency, better communication, and a halt to projects until citizens can fully understand the implications of the changes being proposed.
In conclusion, as Panaji continues to grapple with the overwhelming challenges of its Smart City initiative, one thing is clear: the path forward must involve listening to the voices of the people. It’s essential to shift from a top-down approach of urban development to one that actively engages and empowers the very citizens who inhabit this beautiful city. Without such a shift, Panaji risks not only losing its charm but also the trust of its people, leaving behind a legacy not of progress, but of discord and disappointment.
