Team Herald
QUEPEM: Residents in Quepem’s municipal area are expressing frustration over the lack of a telephone connectivity to the temporarily relocated Quepem Electricity Department complaint service station in Bhatt.
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With no telephone or mobile contact available for reporting power issues, locals find themselves struggling to alert officials about emergencies, including power outages, short circuits, and live wires fallen on streets.
To file a complaint, residents must either visit the office in person, contact the Junior Engineer directly, or call the general complaint centre using the number listed on their electricity bills.
However, this process often leads to delays, as complaints routed through the call centre are relayed to the service station only after considerable time, which can further prolong response times.
Local resident Dilip Hegde voiced his annoyance, pointing out that the lack of an emergency contact line has become a “headache” for residents, especially during critical situations.
“We either have to physically visit the office or rely on multiple calls through the chain of command,” he explained.
He urged the department to take immediate steps to address the communication gap.
Another resident, Wilma Fernandes, spoke about the plight of people in nearby areas like Ambaulim and Gaokarwado.
“A direct line for complaints is essential, particularly for common people who lack resources or technical know-how to manage these problems,” Fernandes said.
Quepem Electricity Department Assistant Engineer Sanjeev Mashelkar acknowledged the issue and explained that the temporary office relocation to Bhatt has disrupted regular telephone connectivity, and even when available, the phone handset often malfunctions.
Mashelkar further mentioned that BSNL network issues in the area have worsened the situation.
The AE stated that the department has proposed to the Chief Engineer to issue mobile SIM cards to every section within the Quepem jurisdiction, which would enable staff to respond more swiftly to public complaints.
