MARGAO: Upset over the recent crackdown by the power department, cable operators and internet ser vice providers in Margao have expressed readiness to resolve the issue and have requested the author ities to temporarily halt further action. The move comes after widespread disruption of cable televi sion and internet services following the removal of ca bles during the drive. The issue has also been taken up at the highest lev el, with cable operators and internet service providers being part of a joint rep resentation submitted to the Chief Minister by several in dustry and business bodies, seeking urgent intervention to put an end to recurring cable-cutting incidents that they say are severely affect ing businesses and digital connectivity across Goa. In the letter, the signato ries have urged the govern ment to evolve a long-term policy to prevent such dis ruptions, including direct ing internet service provid ers to deploy underground cables in main cities, creat ing a mechanism to allow the use of street furniture for aerial cables in internal areas and last-mile connec tivity where underground cabling is not feasible, and providing institutional support to facilitate under ground cable deployment. The representation has also sought a more liber al policy for right-of-way permissions, with reason able charges and faster ap provals, keeping in mind Goa’s geography and tour ism-driven economy. After the action in Margao, several cable operators and internet providers scram bled to restore services, which were badly affected after their cables were cut by the power department. In an effort to find an immedi ate solution, representatives of the cable operators met Public Works Department Minister Digambar Kamat, followed by a meeting with officials of the power depart ment on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Molly Fernandes, President of the Margao Cable Oper ators Association, said that the operators have assured the authorities of their co operation and willingness to remove unauthorised cables. “We were helpless as services were suddenly disrupted due to the action. However, after discussions with the concerned officers, we have decided to imme diately clear one portion of the cable line, from Arlem Circle to Gogol,” she said. Fernandes admitted that cable operators were part ly at fault for the situation. “We have promised the department that we will strictly follow their instruc tions. We also accept that some operators had wrong ly installed cables on elec tricity poles. Therefore, we cannot entirely blame the power department for tak ing action,” she stated. She added that the as sociation has appealed to the authorities to suspend further action until a per manent solution is worked out, a request that echoes the concerns raised in the letter to the Chief Minister, which warned that repeat ed disruptions were hurting productivity, business com petitiveness and the state’s ease of doing business. Cable operators said they are now coordinating among themselves to sys tematically remove unau thorised lines and regular ise existing infrastructure, while also working to re store disrupted services in affected areas. Meanwhile, internet users across Margao continued to face intermittent connec tivity issues, though some services were partially re stored following the meet ings. Operators expressed hope that cooperation be tween departments and ser vice providers, along with policy-level intervention, would help prevent similar disruptions in the future. The power department, meanwhile, has maintained that the crackdown was necessary in the interest of safety and to prevent hazards caused by tangled and unauthorised cables. Further discussions are ex pected as authorities and service providers work to wards a mutually accept able and lasting solution.
Power dept drive sparks public anger
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A recent crack down on overhead cables by the power department has caused widespread dis ruption to internet services across parts of Salcete, trig gering strong public reaction and demands for immediate government intervention. However, later in the evening the internet ser vice in many parts of Mar gao was restored. The disruption, which has continued for the past two days, has severely af fected businesses, students, professionals and house holds that depend on unin terrupted internet connec tivity for daily activities. Several areas in and around Margao reported either complete internet shutdowns or erratic con nectivity after cable lines were removed as part of the drive. Residents said the ac tion was carried out without prior notice or alternative arrangements, resulting in chaos and inconvenience. Social activist Milagres Fernandes, speaking to re porters, expressed anger over the manner in which the crackdown was imple mented. “This sudden disruption has brought business activ ities to a standstill. Students preparing for examinations and people working online are suffering the most. Such actions should not be taken without studying their im pact on the public,” he said, demanding an immediate solution from the govern ment. Fernandes also questioned what he termed selective enforcement by the authori ties. “If action is being taken against cable operators, why is the power department not held accountable for ille gally entering private prop erties while laying power cables or erecting electricity poles? Why are wires routed through private land without consent?” he asked. Students said the disrup tion could not have come at a worse time. “Our internal as sessments and exam prepa rations depend heavily on online resources. For the last two days, we have been un able to attend online classes or submit assignments,” said college student Riya Naik. Another student, Jason Rodrigues, said he had to travel to a friend’s house to access the internet. “Not everyone has the option to move around just to get connectivity,” he added. Small business own ers and professionals also voiced concern. “Most of my work is online, includ ing billing and communi cation with clients. Since the internet went down, my business has suffered loss es,” said local entrepreneur Anthony D’Costa. He added that advance notice could have helped people make alternative ar rangements. Work-from-home employ ees echoed similar concerns. “Our employers expect us to be online during working hours. This disruption has affected productivity and created unnecessary stress,” said Maria Rodrigues. Residents demanded that the government ensure coordination between depart ments before undertaking such drives. Many also called for a clear policy regulating cable infrastructure without disrupting essential services. Citizens urged authori ties to immediately restore internet connectivity and put in place a structured plan to prevent similar disruptions in the future, stressing that internet ac cess has become an essen tial service in today’s digital-dependent society.
