A high-level international delegation comprising of officials from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the German Development Bank (KfW), the European Union (EU) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), visited Panaji to conduct a comprehensive review of the ongoing implementation of the CITIIS (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain) 2.0 program.
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL), the implementing agency, hosted the meeting under the flagship initiative titled “Amchi Swachh Panaji – Ensuring Zero Landfill for a Thriving Panaji.”
IPSCDL had been selected as one of the top 18 winning cities amongst the 100 smart cities in the CITIIS 2.0 challenge—a national initiative to promote innovative and sustainable urban development with a focus on solid waste management.
As part of the broader CITIIS 2.0 framework, “Amchi Swachh Panaji” stands as a replicable model of sustainable urban innovation. The review mission focused on assessing the program’s progress, strategies and impact with a particular emphasis on its core citizen-centric and decentralised approach to urban waste management. Panaji’s winning proposal “Amchi Swachh Panaji,” featured during the meeting.
An insightful discussion on the CITIIS 2.0 project proposal was held with all the delegates, accompanied by a presentation from IPSCDL that provided an overview of related activities and initiatives in areas such as solid waste management and smart solutions aimed at fostering sustainability and circularity.
The officials also visited several waste management facilities managed by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) including the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at St. Inez, Bio-digesters near NIWS, PAWS and the bio-methanation plant near Heera Petrol Pump. They also inspected residential colonies practicing 16-way waste segregation, such as Models Paradise Apartments and Kamat Galaxy Apartments. The delegation also visited the Solid Waste Management Facility at Saligao, Bardez, North Goa.
