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Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) cited adverse weather, climate change, and a high water table as reasons for infrastructure project delays. Heavy rainfall, sandy soil, and early monsoons hindered sewerage and road construction, making excavation difficult. To ease traffic, temporarily restored roads were made operational. Work resumed in November 2024 after the monsoon subsided. The Smart City Mission deadline was extended to March 2025, with roads set for completion by then, while landscaping and tree plantation will finish by June 2025. IPSCDL stated that Panaji's position below sea level and rising sea levels further complicated construction efforts.
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has attributed delays in completing key infrastructure projects to adverse weather conditions, climate change, and the city's high water table. The delay primarily affects the ongoing work of laying the main sewerage trunk line, installing manholes, and subsequently constructing a concrete road surface. Originally scheduled for completion by 31 May 2024, these works could not be finalised within the stipulated timeframe due to environmental and climatic challenges, according to an affidavit submitted to the High Court by IPSCDL's Chief General Manager, Vivek Valke. Advertisement
The affidavit highlighted that Panaji experienced persistent heavy rainfall and possesses sandy soil, both of which complicated construction efforts. Additionally, the city's already high water table further hindered excavation work. In 2024, Goa recorded a total rainfall of 3,091mm as of 1 August, surpassing the average seasonal mark. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported this as a 54.7% deviation from normal rainfall levels, which IPSCDL cited as a contributing factor to the project's delay.
The agency also pointed out that climate change has led to a steady rise in global sea levels, affecting coastal cities like Panaji, which is situated along the Mandovi River. The affidavit stated that due to this gradual rise, the city is currently positioned 30cm below sea level. This factor, coupled with Panaji's high water table, created 'substantial difficulty' in executing sewerage and road construction work, as excavation became unfeasible with water encountered at a depth of just one metre.
The early onset of the monsoon in the first week of May 2024 further compounded the situation, as torrential rains made it impossible to proceed with road construction over newly laid sewerage lines in some areas. Recognising the potential traffic congestion that could result from these delays, IPSCDL implemented a temporary measure by reinstating the excavated portions of the roads, making them operational despite incomplete work.
The agency stated that construction, which had been at a standstill during the monsoon, could only resume in the third week of November 2024 once rainfall had subsided. Given the adverse conditions affecting Panaji's infrastructure projects, the Government of India extended the duration of the Smart City Mission until 31 March 2025, allowing the completion of the remaining works without additional costs.
According to IPSCDL, roadworks in Panaji are now expected to be completed by 31 March 2025, ensuring that all roads become fully operational. Furthermore, Valke stated that additional work, including landscaping and tree plantation, will be finalised by 30 June 2025.
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