CANACONA: With election code of conduct in place and work order to replace the defunct fixtures of the high mast at Palolem getting stuck up in the process, it looks like the residents of Palolem will have to immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha in darkness.

Councillor of Palolem ward Dayanand Pagi is agitated that in spite of frequent reminders to tourism department, the high mast at the entrance of the beach has not been repaired.

Speaking to this correspondent he said over 700 Lord Ganesha idols would be immersed at the beach and with tourism department not replacing the defunct bulbs in time it would inconvenience devotees. 

Since the high mast at the beach is maintained by Goa tourism department, he has asked them to make alternate arrangements of illuminating the area on eve of the upcoming festival.

Inquiries also revealed that the tourism department is stuck due to the election code of conduct and cannot issue work order to repair or replace the defunct bulbs and many fear that the residents may have to wait till the counting of the election for the high mast to be functional again.