Margao: Manora residents in Raia have complained that a prominent road in their area has been without streetlights for more than three weeks. Xavier Fernandes, Raia panch when contacted said that before the Raia church feast on August 5, the pancahyat had carried out a drive in every ward with 25 fixtures each to check on the streetlight issue and would raise the Manora area issue with the power department.
Fernandes added that while the streetlights come under the pancahyats that makes logistics arrangements and check for maintenance, they have to rely on the power department to send the linesmen to carry out the repairs.
Manora residents claimed that Nearly 20 to 30 poles of street lights on a prominent road are standing unlit during this time.
“Power station has not bothered to get the repairs done and restore light. A recent incident of eve teasing by some migrant workers on the “Raia roads has not taught a lesson to the panchayat yet. This road is used by several women and others in dark. The women returning late from work are worried for their safety while walking on this road. We had gheraoed the sub-station in charge a month back over complaints of frequent power loss in our homes. We had called the Power Minister for help. But he had threatened to arrest us if we go to the sub-station. Villagers are frightened to lodge a complaint since then,” said Anthony Fernandes of Raia.
Women and others who commute on this road in the dark have also raised concerns.
