Team Herald
MAPUSA: Voicing their strong opposition to the expansion of power lines in Tivim, the locals on Wednesday claimed that due to power lines, their agriculture fields and crops have been destroyed in fire incidents and accused the government of failing to compensate them for the losses.
The locals claimed that from last 40 years they have been suffering as due to high voltage power lines their crops have been destroyed. At the same time they claimed that they are not able to take any machinery to the fields fearing short circuit.
They accused the power department for undertaking work without taking them especially the farmers into confidence and claimed that the poles were installed overnight despite objections.
They said the panchayat had assured to take up the issue with the Electricity Department but failed to do so. However, the cabling work has already commenced.
“There were single circuit lines but now the department is upgrading to double circuit and new poles are being erected without the consent from the farmers and locals. Due to these power lines, our fields have been damaged and even plants and crops are getting burnt. From last several years we are facing this problem and till date we have not received any compensation,” complained a local farmer.
They claimed that they are surviving on agriculture activities and if this problem continues how are they going to survive.
They said on one side the government is talking about Swayampurna Goa and on the other hand, it is forcing the farmers to suffer.
Local slammed the dictatorial attitude of the government as work has been carried out without any NOC from farmers.
They threatened to take legal action as the department has failed to resolve their issues.
A senior electricity department official said the department is only undertaking work of upgrading existing lines.
