Guilherme Almeida
Diwali may come a little early to some frustrated residents of Margao. In order to beat the darkness on the roads and especially on the pitch dark Margao-Navelim flyover, residents have decided to place lit Diwali lanterns on the bridge in protest. Their efforts to get the power department to change the faulty CFL bulbs have failed, because it needs the honourable Power Minister’s Milind Naik’s sanction to replace CFL bulbs.
When the citizens knocked the doors of the Power House at Aquem to replace the faulty lamps, they were told in clear terms that replacement of the CFL bulbs will be carried out only when the Division receives the supply. But ‘supply’ depends entirely on one man in “power”. Power officials in the know said whenever they approach the central stores for spares, they are told to first seek prior permission of the Power Minister, Milind Naik’s office before they receive their consignment. “Why should the officials constantly knock the doors of the Power Minister’s office for even tubes and bulbs when the spares ought to be available with the stores at all times”, questioned a power official.
Indeed, the non-functioning ornamental lamps along the two-lane road from Margao flyover to the Navelim Church have brought the Power Department administration under the scanner of citizens.
It’s over a month now since the entire stretch of the road has been in darkness for want of the CFL bulbs. Says former Margao Municipal Chairperson, Savio Coutinho: “It is indeed strange that the Power Department has no bulbs to illuminate a busy road at a time when sewerage work on the road is presently underway. We will wait for the next 15 days for the department to act or the people will resort a peaceful protest by lighting Diwali lanterns all along the road”.
Just imagine a situation when a stretch of a busy road is plunged into darkness for want of CFL bulbs and a vehicle to repair the lamps!
