The Goa Cabinet has approved a new role for Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), which was established in 2016 to implement Smart City projects in the state capital. With most of its planned works nearing completion, the company will now be restructured as a State-Level Urban Development Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to support urban development projects across Goa.

The decision aims to utilise the expertise and institutional capacity developed by the Smart City corporation for future urban infrastructure and development initiatives. The entity will be brought directly under the Finance Department and will receive grant-in-aid support to carry out its responsibilities.

Since its establishment in 2016, IPSCDL has undertaken 51 projects in Panaji under the Smart Cities Mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and other schemes. While several projects have been completed and others are at the final stages, the government has decided to make use of the corporation's experience for wider urban development work.

The Cabinet's decision recognises the trained manpower and professional project management systems developed by the corporation over the years. Its expertise in technical operations, procurement, contract management and operations and maintenance is expected to be utilised in implementing future government projects.

Under its new role, the corporation will assist the state government, municipalities and other concerned departments in project implementation, planning and innovation. It is also expected to reduce dependence on ad-hoc project structures and external consultants by making better use of its existing skilled workforce and technical expertise.

The government will provide grants for a few years to ensure a smooth transition and sustainable operations as the corporation takes on its expanded responsibilities.

The restructuring is expected to transform the Smart City SPV into a multi-functional urban development agency, extending its role beyond Panaji to urban areas across Goa. The new arrangement could provide the state with a dedicated institutional mechanism to support municipal infrastructure and urban development projects.