Long and continuous power cuts in the capital –like in other parts of the State – has come to haunt every household that is already reeling under a severe heat wave for over a month now.
While several factors are attributed to these power failures in different pockets of Goa, the capital is facing the brunt owing to public works department’s (PWD) digging of roads at Kadamba plateau.
“It’s been more than a fortnight that the work from Saibaba Temple to Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) quarters punctured electricity cords at least six times leading to an abysmal power situation,” an executive engineer of the electricity department alleged. As frequent power break-downs are witnessed on a daily basis amidst rising temperatures, the Vidhyut Bhavan is receiving a plethora of complaints from consumers who demand immediate restoration. The department, on the other hand, has pushed the blame on the PWD stating the concerned agency should bear the responsibility.
“The PWD has not given any serious thought about the problems the people are going through. We are also the sufferers because the consumers blame us for power faults. It is in fact for the PWD to carry out immediate repairs, but they barely care,” the official said wishing anonymity.
The PWD has countered allegations of negligence asserting that repairs are prompt once it comes across any damage to underground cabling. Amidst all this, the consumers are at big loss particularly housewives, students who are appearing for the exams and elderly citizens. “Our domestic work and cooking comes to a halt with no electricity connection. Half of our cooking is dependent on electricity. Even after several phone complaints, it is not restored quickly. It has become a daily affair now,” said Sunita Sardesai.
Similarly, repeated power outages have also hit the SSC students appearing for Goa Board exams that began on April 1. The students complain of concentration following power failures leading to frustration among them.
“Ironically, the problem comes during the summer season and especially at a time when thousands of students are appearing for their crucial exams. Not only the children’s preparations are affected but power cuts while answering the papers also puts them to great hardships,” Sonia Halarnkar, who has her son answering Class X Board exams, said. The constant problem every four to five times a day has left the residents fuming.
Cumbarjua legislator Pandurang Madkaikar, in whose jurisdiction the National Highway work is underway, claims several complaints to the authorities have failed to solve the menace. Citing lack of coordination between different divisions of the PWD, the MLA accused the government of leaving the general public in unnecessary crisis.
“The work has left a number of places without power and water connection too. I have been personally following up the matter with the concerned PWD divisions but none seem to be determined. Since the works come under National Highway Authority of India, the PWD is awaiting reimbursement to restore the pipelines. How can this not the priority when thousands of families are affected?” he asked. It is learnt that restoring water pipeline will cost Rs 2 crore alone.
The legislator had also raised the issue in the winter session of the Legislative Assembly to which PWD Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar had assured solution by October.
