MARGAO: The power shut down, which was announced well in advance, did not have much impact on rural Salcete as many people visited the beaches with their families especially children currently on vacation.
In Chandor, practically all the shops operated without any problems and those selling ice-creams had not ordered for the extra stock as they wanted to exhaust the existing one.
Incidentally, despite the power shut down across South Goa, a cancer detection camp was held at the Chandor Cavorim panchayat hall by the Chandor Sub Health Centre which did not require power supply.
Similarly, over 70 people attended the osteoporosis camp conducted in the Benaulim panchayat hall as the panchayat had already made arrangements for a generator set.
At Chinchinim Deussua, life was normal as many locals especially those working overseas who arrived in the state opted to drive to North Goa to spend the day. However, some people were upset over the non-functioning of ATMs as they could not withdraw money as per their requirement.
In Navelim, some people questioned the need to have such long power cuts as in the modern era power is supplied through underground cables.
However, Electricity Department Assistant Engineer Carlos Fernandes informed that the power shutdown was for the annual maintenance of the sub stations where the lines are switched from one recipient to another.
“This maintenance has to be carried out and the substation has to be shut hence there was no power supply,” he said.
