Team Herald
CALANGUTE: North Goa coastal residents believe that the frequent power cuts in their villages may drive tourists away and dampen the tourist season. The increasing consumption of power by commercial establishments has largely contributed to the power cuts, which they say need an immediate, even if temporary, solution to ensure that restaurants and shacks as well as tourists along the beaches of Calangute, Baga and Candolim do not suffer.
A local, Jerry, said, “If we continue to have such long power cuts, the restaurant business in our villages will suffer a lot. Nobody likes to patronize restaurants or shacks without lights. It is said that this tourist season will see many power cuts due to an increase in power consumption in the coastal belt. Hopefully, something will be done immediately to avoid black outs during the peak tourist season.”
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo also concurred that the erratic power supply would be a major cause for concern for tourism-related businesses in the Calangute coastal belt. He further said, “Electricity consumption has increased considerably as many commercial establishments have opened up in the coastal villages. There are frequent power cuts due to the opening of jumpers of high-tension lines on account of overloads. We need to upgrade the existing sub power stations at Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim to meet the demands of the power consumers. I have taken up the matter with the power minister and chief minister for a long lasting solution to the problems of the coastal residents.”
Electricity department sources have said that there could be regular power cuts due to wear and tear of high-tension lines or jumpers due to overloads, and that load shedding is an option to avoid the frequent power cuts.
