PANJIM: Electricity Department has broken its silence on allegations of favourism towards a builder to shift a high tension line on Kadamba plateau.
An officer stated that one Kailas Singla had requested for shifting of 110KV lines passing through his property at Kadamba Plateau in 2015.
Corporation of City of Panaji had also requested for shifting of 110KV lines passing through their plot for building infrastructure for the Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility.
“There was also a letter from Department of Urban Development asking for a meeting to discuss the shifting of 110KV transmission line/water pipeline passing through the property acquired by CCP. Subsequently, a, inspection was carried out by CCP and Electricity Department on October 14, 2015. Accordingly, the new alignment of the 110KV lines was approved by CCP and the alignment plan was attached for shifting of lines,” he said.
The officer stated that all formalities were carried out and the department gave in principle approval mentioning that the shifting of 110KV line would benefit CCP and that the shifting would be carried out on monopoles which would be a new concept and having good ground clearance.
“Based on the in-principle approval, estimate was prepared by Executive Engineer Division XIII in August 2016 for the amount of Rs 6,19,16,722 and 15 percent supervision charges amounting to Rs 13,66,202. The estimate was approved by the Chief Electrical Engineer for the revised amount of Rs 6,37,27,095 and 15 percent supervision charges of Rs 19,16,881. Singla paid the amount and proceeded with the work of procurement and installation of 110KV monopoles for shifting of 110KV lines,” he added.
It was thereafter that KashinathTari filed a writ petition in the High Court of Bombay in Goa challenging the shifting of the lines. “The stop work order issued by Town & Country Planning has nothing to do with the erection of High Tension line,” the officer said.
“The foundation for the last monopole was not laid in line with the approved plan by the company and was in close vicinity of the road. The reason for deviation was passing of water pipeline below the original location. This was immediately brought to the notice of the company that agreed to demolish the foundation. The foundation was immediately demolished,” he said.
