Addressing the annual budget meeting, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said the civic body had consciously chosen not to raise taxes despite financial pressures.
“Before we came into office, taxes were increased almost every year by 5-10 per cent. This year, we decided not to raise taxes because it would be unfair to the people. Just because the corporation failed to collect taxes properly, citizens should not suffer,” he said.
Meanwhile, the budget outlay for 2026-27 is lower than last year’s projected estimate of Rs 121 crore.
Focus on infrastructure
and maintenance
The CCP said that the focus this year would remain on civic infrastructure, sanitation, maintenance works, public amenities and measures to strengthen revenue generation across the capital city.
Discussions during the meeting centred on urban planning, upkeep of public facilities and steps to improve the corporation’s tax collection mechanism while continuing development activities in Panaji.
CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira said stricter monitoring and operational control had enabled the corporation to reduce fuel expenditure by nearly Rs 1 crore, even as desilting, weed cutting and other civic works continued across the city.
He also said the corporation was planning new initiatives, including a respite centre for special children and beautification works at Church Square.
Mayor flags
police shortage
Monserrate raised concerns over the shortage of police personnel in the capital city, stating that Panaji requires an additional 30-40 traffic police personnel and nearly 50-60 personnel for law and order duties, given the current population, influx of visitors, and daily entry and exit of thousands of vehicles, besides other events.
“There are insufficient officers available to impose fines and maintain order. Panaji has only one PSI who remains occupied with administrative work inside the office,” he said, while seeking additional manpower.
Mangrove boardwalk
to be dismantled
The CCP also decided to dismantle the long-neglected mangrove boardwalk along the Rua de Ourem creek in Patto after extensive damage, including a recent fire outbreak.
Monserrate said the extent of damage had made repairs financially unviable and that there were presently no plans to reconstruct the facility.
Spread across nearly 1,100 square metres, the boardwalk project was developed by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited as an ecological attraction and educational space highlighting the importance of mangroves in the Rua de Ourem creek ecosystem. The project was also promoted as a destination for migratory bird watchers and as a recreational space within the city.
More than eight years after it was built, the structure fell into disrepair. The smart city agency had earlier stated that maintenance and upkeep of the facility was handed over to the CCP after completion of the project. Several wooden planks and barricades had collapsed or broken before portions of the structure caught fire last month.
