Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has decided to move forward with the Goa Intelligent City Management System (GICMS) in order to implement the Smart City Mission in the coastal state. This development project with an estimated cost of ₹180 crores is expected to be finished by the end of November, this year. Additionally, this smart city plan is likely to go live on December 13, 2021.

ICCC set up at IT Hub, Altinho to check all entry points in Goa

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Under the ambit of the GICMS smart city plan, an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will be set up at the IT hub, Altinho for complete surveillance in Panaji, Old Goa, Corlim, Porvorim and the other entry points of the capital. This includes installations of sensors and cameras to monitor the traffic violations, crime, littering, theft, pollution emissions, solid waste, and smart city lighting, while providing WiFi hotspots in around 500 locations in Panaji simultaneously. The data from these surveillance cameras will be showcased live in the operation control room.

As per the GICMS contract that was bagged by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) in 2018, a total of 338 smart CCTV cameras were to be installed in Panaji. Out of these, 100 CCTV cameras with automated facial recognition and number plate detection ability have already been set up by L&T so far. With this, e-challans can be issued to the traffic offenders automatically.

Moreover, emergency services including officials from disaster management cell, traffic cell, transport department, Goa Police and CCP, among others will also be available at the ICCC. Apart from this, L&T is also planning to create smart parking space at the EDC Patto complex. Reportedly, the parking slots will be equipped with 1,000 sensors which will pin down vacant slots and display them on the LED board placed at the entrance. To add to the convenience of commuters, payment for parking can be made via online payment options as well.

Delay in getting permissions hinders the progress

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Reportedly, one of the main barriers for this project is the delay in getting the required permissions from the authority. As per the Infrastructure Developer, the permission needed for digging, laying the important fibre cables and road cutting are extremely challenging to acquire. Moreover, the unmarked utility lines along the roads of Panaji also make the whole process complex.

According to the guidelines laid down by the Centre, while implementing ICCC is the main criteria for the Smart City Mission, more funds will be disbursed only after the completion of the existing project.