Frequent power failures have been a regular feature in Cuncolim which has left the locals red-faced.
It’s surprising that despite having two power sub stations one at Shipler and the other in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, the town is experiencing frequent power outages since the last one month.
When Herald visited the town to find out the reason behind these frequent power outages it was revealed that the main lines in Cuncolim are old and were laid during the Portuguese era and hence need to be replaced immediately. To add to this is that fact the transformers too are in a bad state, informed an electricity department official on the condition of anonymity.
The official said there has been an increase in the number of connections but the power lines have remained the same. These old lines cannot handle the load and this is one of the reasons for the frequent power failures. The transformers and the lines too need to be replaced only then the situation will improve.
Another official informed that there is a proposal for underground cabling in the town. It is not viable to change lines and the only option is to go in for underground cabling. For the IDC power substation, the department has gone for underground cabling. But nobody is aware of the underground cabling proposal. The locals have the social media abuzz with their posts trying to seek attention of the authorities in getting current situation in the town solved. Some have blamed local MLA Clafacio Dias for the current situation. It is learnt that it was Alemao who had proposed the underground cabling.
Vijay Prabhu, a resident says “The power situation in Cuncolim is going from bad to worse. Frequent power disruptions are becoming regular feature. Linesmen are always at the receiving end as they have expressed their helplessness over the prevailing situation due to the age-old conductors and cables, which they say need urgent replacement. They say underground cabling in the need of the hour.”
Another resident Asiz Noronha says, “MLA Clafacio Dias at a public function in Cuncolim had publicly stated that it will be his priority to solve power problem in the town. He also promised us that he will meet the Power Minister and find out a solution. We would like to know from our MLA whether he has met the power minister and found out a solution to the problem.”
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