MARGAO: The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has expressed grave concerns over the brazen violation of the Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act) by the Goa Electricity Department, putting road users at risk. Despite repeated petitions to the authorities, the illegal transportation of electricity poles continues unabated.
In a recent incident, the Transport Department South Enforcement team booked an offence against the owner of vehicle – GA-08-V8095, which was caught transporting electricity poles at Sirlim on the NH-66. GOACAN has demanded that the District Administration take a firm stance on these violations and implement an action plan to curb this menace, which could potentially lead to fatal road accidents.
The District Collectorate has responded by writing to the DySP Traffic (South) to take action on GOACAN’s letter dated May 15, regarding vehicles transporting electricity poles in violation of the MV Act and Rules.
In the letter, GOACAN cited a specific case where vehicle No GA-05-T-7007 was stopped on NH-66 at Sirlim on May 3, 2024, and fined Rs 20,000 for violating Section 194 (1A) of the MV Act. The vehicle, carrying eight electricity poles, had travelled through various jurisdictions before being intercepted, raising concerns about the lack of vigilance by authorities. GOACAN highlighted the tragic accident in August 2020 at Borim in Ponda, where three employees of the Electricity Department lost their lives due to the unsafe transportation of electricity poles.
