Goa Based Bombay High Court denies on extension for Smart-City project completion!

The High Court has declined to Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited’s(IPSCDL) request to extend the deadline for completing Smart City Mission works beyond May 31. Despite IPSCDL’s timeline indicating completion by June 2024, the State government mandated that all ongoing Smart City projects finish by May 31, which the court upheld. Advocate Devidas Pangam stated that all roads will be operational by May 31, with plans for traffic management and pollution control measures to be provided. The court is awaiting for a compliance report and expects reduced traffic congestion and pollution once the roads are open.

Advocates argued for measures to address pollution, traffic management, road safety, and public awareness. They emphasized the need for clear communication about road closures and one-way routes. April 16 is set to be the next hearing date. In related news, a Goa State Pollution Control Board report revealed that air quality exceeded acceptable levels near Smart City works in Panjim for two consecutive days in March. The court instructed continuous air quality monitoring, especially in areas with construction activity. The report recommended deploying dust extraction systems during construction to prevent road dust re-suspension and installing real-time air quality monitoring systems in three locations in the capital city.