Goa Gets Its First ‘Smart Street’

Goa just got its first ‘Smart Street’ in the coastal village of Calangute. It is touted to be the first such street in Goa with CCTV cameras, 30 light poles with four-coloured theme lighting, and Wi-Fi connection to boot. The street also features special kiosks for the local vendors, who sell homemade food on the street. The Tito’s lane in Baga, Calangute, is also lined up with solar blinkers and smart digital boards that turn the street lively at night. Referring to this, a local panchayat member stated that the idea popped up during a brain-storming session between the local MLA and panchayat members. Reportedly, this is the most happening street in the coastal belt, which is why they decided to rebrand and revive the street to make it vibrant, clean and safe. The smart street has been developed by Shankh Creations along with the Calangute panchayat. The said street was recently inaugurated by Ports Ministers and local MLA Michael Lobo with much fanfare in presence of many prominent personalities. Lobo informed that the initiative has been undertaken as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) measure and that the government has not spent a single penny on the same. Appreciating the locals for this, Lobo credited the villagers who gave their nod to turn the street into a smart street. He said, “Smart people who live in this area gave us a chance to develop the street. They always said do whatever is good for the public.”