MAPUSA: This may sound strange but due to deteriorating power situation, the residents of Mapusa and nearby villages are most likely to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in darkness this year.
The town and the nearby villages over the last few days have been experiencing frequent power cuts or outrages and that too over 30 times in a day.
The power situation should have been addressed since Wednesday. However, if the concerned authorities fail to get the problem rectified by Monday then the people have to celebrate the festival in darkness.
Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Ryan Braganza informed Herald that the reason for power cuts is yet to be ascertained and added that the department should be extra cautious during the festive season.
North Goa District Congress Committee president Vijay Bhike said the people of Mapusa are fed up with the power fluctuations.
“The exact reason for the power cuts is not known but the constant load shedding and power outage could be caused due to the extra connections given indiscriminately without studying the demand and supply issues. Some builders have also taken direct temporary connections. The department is not checking the load and neither have they assured as to when this problem will be solved. To my knowledge the electricity poles and wires are old and faulty. At some places there are power cuts every few minutes while others are left without power for hours together,” claimed Bhike.
The North Goa District Congress Committee president said they would face a lot of problems if the issue is not addressed at the earliest as Ganesh Chaturthi is a one of the major festivals of Hindus.
“Most houses will be putting up their lights and decorations at night. Once the load increases then the problem will worsen further,” Bhike said.
Gauresh Keni, a Mapusa resident, said they did not have power for over two hours.
“We have been informed that the problem will be sorted out by Sunday evening. Calling the helpline 1912 is useless and a waste of time as they can only take down your complaint but do nothing about it. They just say that they will report it to the concerned department. With the power cuts every few minutes we hope that our decorative lights don’t get affected. We have put in a lot of efforts and have spent a lot of money to decorate our homes for Ganesh Chaturthi,” Keni added.
