WEDNESDAY, MAY 08, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Citizens of Navelim and Benaulim have expressed their frustration over the proposed power supply shutdowns in their respective constituencies. In Navelim, villagers criticized the electricity department for the day-long power outage during recent maintenance work in the South District.
Meanwhile, residents of Benaulim constituency voiced their concerns about the ongoing power issues in the Salcete coastal belt, including frequent outages and unstable power supply.
The Electricity Department’s notice stated that power supply would be shut down on June 3 for maintenance work, affecting Navelim Church area, Rosary College area, Ratwaddo, Tulsi Bungalow area, Navelim market area, Butica, Telaulim panchayat, Diana Soda Factory, Nagmodem ground, Dando, Siquetim ground area, as well as Woddle-Siquetim, Firmin, and Tolleband areas.
Rodney Fernandes, a Navelim resident, questioned the scheduling of maintenance work, suggesting that it should be coordinated to minimize disruptions. Ritesh Naik expressed disappointment
in the lack of planning by the department.
In Benaulim, panch members gathered to discuss the power situation and demanded immediate action from the Electricity Department. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas attended the
meeting, where concerns were raised about the underground cabling project's status and the recent day-long power shutdown.
Local restaurants and hotels also complained about significant losses due to unreliable power supply, leading them to rely on costly diesel generators.
Dixon Vaz, Cavelossim Sarpanch and hotelier, highlighted the impact on the tourism industry, emphasizing the urgent need for
proper power supply and the prioritization of underground cabling.
