ELVINO ARAUJO
Vasco electricity department has been left at the mercy of a poorly maintained three-decade-old vehicle that runs in a precarious condition.
While the officers have the latest vehicles for their official use, the workers, and especially the linesmen, have had to make do with the pickup (GA-02-G-0020) to fix streetlights across Vasco.
“The vehicle is about 30 years old and there has been no major maintenance work carried out over the years. Such is the precarious condition of the vehicle that some drivers and workers have even prayed for their safety before using the vehicle,” said a linesman at the Vasco electricity department.
He added that the vehicle’s cabin is totally corroded and can barely withstand the weight of the ladder mounted on it.
“When the vehicle is set in motion, the entire cabin, including the ladder, rattles very sharply and there is every possibility that the cabin could give way while the vehicle is moving. Worse, the ladder is mounted on a rickety base and workers are scared to use the ladder as they fear that the ladder could come crashing down with potentially tragic consequences,” the linesman added.
He said that the driver often finds it difficult to steer the vehicle as the corrosion has led to rainwater seepage during the monsoons. Asked if the problem was brought to the notice of their superiors, the lineman said, “There is no need to bring it to the notice of our superiors, as they are well aware of the vehicle’s condition. Our seniors have informed us that the condition of the vehicle was brought to the notice of Power Minister and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik some three months ago.”
When contacted, Naik admitted that he was unaware about the condition of the pickup. “Officials at the electricity department should have brought this to my notice. Nevertheless, I will get in touch with the executive engineer and seek a report on the condition of the vehicle,” Naik said.
When contacted, a Vasco RTO official first said that vehicles with the power department had been granted roadworthy certificates, but reminded about this particular vehicle and its condition, the official admitted that it could not have been certified to be roadworthy.
Executive Engineer Gopinathan Pillai K was not available and when contacted told Herald to speak to Assistant Engineer Vithal Haldankar, in-charge of Vasco division. Haldankar said, “The vehicle is of utmost importance to the department and even if the vehicle is sent for repairs in the garage for a single day, it will hamper work in the department.” When brought to his notice about the precarious condition of the cabin and the ladder and the imminent danger to staff operating the vehicle, Haldankar said, “A new vehicle has been sponsored by a corporate house. However, it cannot be used as it occupies the entire width of the road, causing inconvenience to other vehicles.”
Asked if the matter was brought to the notice of the power minister, Haldankar refused to comment and suggested that Herald speak to Pillai on this.
