PANJIM: In the normally aid back and serene by lanes of Fontainhas, Sao Tome and nearby, there is frustration building up. Mails cannot be sent, websites cannot be browsed and most importantly WhatsApp calls do not connect. Both business and pleasure have suffered.
The internet service in Panjim has been paralysed for the last one week as underground internet cables have been damaged by the contractors executing the Smart City works, while the overhead and hanging cables are being cut and cleared from the streetlight and other poles across Panjim by the government in view of the G20 Summit.
In a meeting held to discuss the preparedness for G20 meetings, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel had directed District Magistrate North Goa Mamu Hage, and CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira to remove all hanging cables and wires on the poles.
This direction was given basically to ensure that Panjim streets look clean when the foreign delegates arrive in the city for the global meet.
But the decision, typically came with no backup plan to ensure seamless internet for the people of Panjim.
Banks, corporate and commercial establishments have been affected as the internet services are derailed in the city. According to internet service providers, Miramar, St. Inez, Campal, Fontainhas and Sao Tome areas are the worst affected.
Crying foul, the internet service providers alleged that they were neither informed nor given enough time to work out an alternative before the authorities began implementing the direction of the government.
“We are facing a major issue. On one hand overhead cables are being cut by the CCP without giving us any alternative, while on the other hand underground cables have been damaged by the people engaged in ongoing Smart City works. Hundreds of customers across the city are currently affected,” Proprietor Goa C Net, Royston Dias said.
Another service provider on the condition of anonymity said that over 400 of his customers in Panjim city are left without internet services as the cables have been chopped off.
“Directions have come from the government in view of the G20 summit, so we can’t do anything. Even our Goa Broad Band Network (GBBN) service was down at some places as cables were snapped,” informed Director of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Praveen Volvotkar.
“The order for removal of hanging cables was given by the Special Secretary for the G20 Summit. The CCP has no say or role in this matter. In the council meeting, we had opposed the cutting of the cables as we didn’t want to inconvenience the people. We can’t do anything about it as it is the decision of the government,” CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said.
Deputy CCP Mayor Sanjeev Naik claimed that not only CCP, but other government departments are also removing the cables wherever it is creating hindrance in executing different works as part of preparations for the G20 Summit.
“We have told the service providers to make alternate arrangements and utilise ducts wherever possible,” Naik said.
Interestingly, the CCP in August 2021 through a public notice had asked all service providers such as the electricity department, telecommunication, broadband, Cable TV operators etc. to voluntarily remove all the overhead cables hanging from buildings, poles and trees within the jurisdiction of CCP before August 31, 2021. The CCP had even warned that such cables would be removed and all material confiscated thereafter.
