Panjim (or Panaji) is one amongst 33 cities selected for development under the Smart City Mission by the Centre. Rs. 534 crores will be spent on development and improvement of Panjim over the next five years.
As part of the Smart City plans, the state government will undertake a special study on:
- Non-revenue water for Panjim,
- Improvement in municipal tax collection
- Revenue generation for the civic body through advertisements.
Government Bodies
The study will be executed through Central funding. The PWD, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Imagine Panjim Smart City Development Ltd. and the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) will jointly conduct the study.
Addressing the media, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) vice president Siddharth Kunkolienkar said the Central Government has sanctioned three projects for Panjim for which a detailed feasibility study will have to be conducted before execution.
Water Resources and Taxes
Under the non-revenue water scheme, emphasis will be to reduce misuse of water, revenue leakages and proper billing system. Use of technological intervention by reaching out to people’s door step for tax payment and ensuring timely payment would be part of ‘understanding the potential of municipal tax’ study.
Well I certainly hope Goa receives the much needed development in a manner that protects culture, nature and promote its heritage.
Photo Credits: Gaurish Bodnekar
