Foundation stone laid for electrical works worth Rs 14 cr at Saligao

MAPUSA: Foundation stone conversion of existing overhead 11KV feeders to underground system and various other electrical works was laid at Saligao, Wednesday.

The other electrical works include erection additional feeders, conversion of single phase line to three phase line, replacement of conductors and providing guarding. The estimated cost of work is nearly Rs 14 crore.

The foundation stone was laid by Power Minister Nilesh Cabral and Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar.

On the occasion, urging people to support development works, Cabral said, “Support and cooperation of local representative and people is required to undertake development works. If people want to have 24 hours power supply then people should not object or approach court and waste time of department. The department is trying to provide 24 hours power for which cooperation of people is required.”

He said that that only 65 percent of street lights in the State are maintained by Electricity department and the remaining 35 percent are looked after by various agencies. 

“Around 1.78 lakh LED lights have been installed in Goa and there is requirement of more 40,000 streetlights. Once these lights are installed, in next 2 to 3 months, 100 percent of streetlights in Goa will be maintained by Electricity department,” he said.

“To provide services to the consumers at door step, online payment of bills facility is made available. Also, if consumers make online payment of bill then in return the consumer receives Rs 1.25. If the consumer registers himself online then status of bill and payment is made easy,” he said. 

“Even those people who move out of State or country can pay the bill by entering the details. There is also facility for advance amount paying facility. The initiative is to provide the services at door step,” Cabral added.

Disclosing that people will be able to file online application for new connection, Cabral said, “System to apply for new connection online will be put in place in next 3 to 4 months, where the consumer can apply for it online, select day for inspection by EE and more. I also appeal people to install solar panel. Installing solar panel will help to reduce electricity bill amount. Also Goa is the only State in the country where Government provides 50 percent subsidy on installation of solar panel. This scheme is limited for only two years so more and more people should take benefit of it.”