Team Herald
MARGAO: In an era where connectivity is essential, several police stations in Salcete and Canacona are facing significant communication issues, with their telephone lines frequently out of service. This breakdown in connectivity has left many members of the public unable to contact the police in times of distress.
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Salcete, which has five police stations – Margao, Maina-Curtorim, Cuncolim, Colva, and Fatorda – has been particularly affected. The telephone lines at the Cuncolim and Maina-Curtorim stations are regularly reported as non-functional, causing considerable inconvenience for local residents. The phone line at Canacona Police Station has also been out of order for the past three months, exacerbating the difficulties faced by the community.
Sources within the police stations have confirmed that, on average, the phones at both Colva and Cuncolim stations go down at least once every two months. In many cases, the emergency number ‘100’, widely publicised as the go-to contact for emergencies, has proven ineffective. Calls to the number often fail to connect, whether dialled from a mobile or landline.
A resident of Maina-Curtorim shared his frustration, stating that the old landline number for the Maina-Curtorim Police Station (0832-2714787) has been non-responsive for several months. While a mobile number was provided as an alternative contact, it too has often been unreachable, leaving residents with few options when they need urgent assistance.
The situation is no better in Canacona. A head constable at the local police station confirmed that the station’s telephone number has been out of service for over three months. The issue has been reported to the relevant authorities, but no action has yet been taken to resolve it. Despite notifying senior officers, the police station is still waiting for the number to be restored.
In light of these ongoing issues, the public is calling for immediate action to address the communication breakdowns, which are significantly hindering the police’s ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.
