Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has taken note of recent media reports, inquiries and public discussions regarding the implementation, expenditure and long-term maintenance of infrastructure projects undertaken under the Smart City initiative.
In the interest of public accountability and factual transparency, IPSCDL believes it is important that discussions surrounding civic infrastructure projects of this scale are guided by verified information, documented progress and the official status of matters currently under examination. While questions concerning public expenditure, project implementation and infrastructure maintenance are legitimate and deserve due consideration, it is equally important that allegations, observations and conclusions are clearly distinguished from established facts and findings of the competent authorities.
IPSCDL remains committed to transparency, responsible governance and accountability in the execution of its mandate, with the primary objective of ensuring that public investments in urban infrastructure translate into sustainable, long-term benefits for the citizens of Panaji.
In alignment with its mandate to modernise capital infrastructure and enhance urban livability, IPSCDL has successfully executed several core structural initiatives across the city:
·Eco-Friendly Public Transit: Deployed a fleet of 48 zero-emission electric buses, operated via the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), significantly enhancing public transport efficiency and sustainable municipal mobility.
·Smart Safety & Surveillance Networks: Integrated an advanced urban safety network centred around an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) supported by 362 smart CCTV cameras to assist local law enforcement and elevate public security.
·Underground Utility Networks: Executed the strategic transition of overhead electrical lines into underground power ducting, mitigating storm damage risks during severe weather events and improving urban street aesthetics.
·Waterfront Infrastructure & Resilience: Development of public waterfront promenades along the Mandovi incorporating flood-protection measures and pedestrian mobility pathways.
·Smart Roads Infrastructure and Civil Engineering Integration: To enhance urban mobility and secure critical underground services, IPSCDL’s infrastructure scope focuses on comprehensive civil engineering integration across smart road corridors. These integrated urban corridors are constructed with designated pedestrian walkways, integrated utility ducting to streamline power and communications lines, and structured traffic management features. By transitioning utility networks underground and reorganizing surface transport layouts, these engineering works reduce street disruption and establish a modern structural framework for capital infrastructure.
In reference to Inter-Departmental Coordination and Handover of Infrastructure, the effective functioning and long-term sustainability of Smart City infrastructure depend on a structured process involving two distinct phases — execution of projects by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) in its capacity as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), followed by the formal handover of completed infrastructure to the respective state government departments and local civic bodies responsible for its operation and maintenance.
In this regard, IPSCDL has established formal communication mechanisms with the concerned government agencies to facilitate the handover of completed projects. While several infrastructure assets have already been transferred for day-to-day operation and maintenance, certain others are at various stages of the administrative process leading to their formal transition. Ensuring the continued upkeep and effective functioning of these assets requires clearly defined responsibilities, coordination between the concerned agencies, regular joint inspections and timely maintenance by the respective designated operating authorities.
In response to recent queries concerning specific project facilities, IPSCDL wishes to place the following operational facts on record. The Pedestrian Spine and Climbing Wall is fully accessible to the public, subject to applicable operational and safety arrangements, with night access restricted solely on safety grounds. Furthermore, the climbing wall facility is operational and open to the public on weekends, having already recorded more than 80 users. The Ribandar Community Market project has been successfully completed.
IPSCDL remains fully committed to the responsible execution of remaining urban development works, collaborating closely with state government stakeholders, line departments, and civic authorities to deliver resilient, high-quality infrastructure that meaningfully serves the community over the long term.
