Speaking to Herald, one of the villagers Jerry D’Souza said that the power is immediately cut off even when there is slight rain or slight wind. “In a day, we witness almost 40-50 power cuts,” he added while highlighting the grim power situation on the island.
“Further, there is no competent authority to listen to our grievances whenever there is a power cut and we are told to contact Bicholim sub-station as Divar receives power from there,” he said and added that the Bicholim staff informs that they have to first cater to the requirements of their area.
D’Souza further appealed to the competent authorities to solve the problem at the earliest, which he said could be done if the power is connected to the Divar island from Corlim sub-station.
Echoing similar sentiments, MGP’s Cumbharjua president Narayan Verlekar informed that in such a situation it has become difficult for the people, particularly children, to sleep well during the night as the fans go on and off. “The mosquitoes then make life miserable,” he said while stating that due to lack of sleep, the children then find it difficult to concentrate on their studies.
Verlekar further said that the panchayat authorities should take up the issue with the electricity department so that the issue is resolved.
When contacted, newly-elected Sao Mathias-Malar sarpanch Prashant Harvalkar acknowledged that the power situation has worsened in Divar and attributed it to lack of pre-maintenance work.
But, he informed that he is in touch with the local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar and also the Corlim sub-station officials on the progress made in getting power connection from Corlim.
“I have been told that in the month of July, Divar will get power from Corlim, which will solve the problem,” he stated.
Speaking to Herald, Corlim AE Chandramouli informed that both the islands of Divar and Chorao are receiving power from Bicholim through a 33 KV line, due to which power cuts are witnessed.
“The power department is in the process of providing electricity to Divar from Old Goa via the Konkan Railway bridge in Dhauji,” he informed and stated that the department has applied for permission from the KRC, after which the power will be connected to the island.
Chandramouli informed that it will take around 20 days for the electricity department to get the necessary permission.
