Team Herald
MAPUSA: Siolim Marna villagers confronted PWD electricity section EE over constant power cuts and low voltage issues.
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Siolim Marna village Panchayat had called for a joint meeting with the engineer of Electricity Department and villagers on Tuesday at the Panchayat premises after the villagers complained of power outages.
During the meeting, villagers raised their grievances such as low voltage, constant power cuts, and availability of power 24×7 at residential and commercial complexes, diversion of power and other issues.
Villagers initially highlighted that streetlights remain on throughout the day and further expressed concern that this is leading to wastage of power responding to which, EE informed that due to change in sunset and sunrise timing, the timings of streetlights have been changed so sometimes it remains on early and late mornings. EE also informed that sometimes when the department carries out repair or maintenance work streets lights are kept on.
Villagers further asked the status of underground cabling project in Siolim to which EE informed that the project is tendered and filed is sent for financial approval. Work of underground cabling will take once year to complete.
Villagers claimed that the work of underground cablings needs to be taken up on priority since during monsoon; problems are faced after trees collapse on the electricity wired which further leads to power cut for several hours.
Villagers also questioned about low voltage in the village. Villagers claimed that due to low voltage, the household electrical equipment’s get damaged including television set, refrigerator and others.
Villagers also asked the EE to change the centre for Siolim from Agarwada to Mapusa since when power goes off, they have to wait for Tuem feeder to supply power. Villagers also highlighted that locals face power fluctuations but huge building as constructions receive 24×7 electricity supply. Villagers also asked the EE to deploy more staff for Siolim during monsoon along with vehicle to handle the problems.
Villagers also highlighted that Siolim received voltage below 150 when the voltage has to be above 200 units. The low voltage as well as constant power cuts is causing major inconvenience to them as well as the basic electrical equipments don’t work because of law voltage.
EE said that a new substation is planned at Karaswada. From the Karaswada sub-station, one 11kv line will be for Siolim.
Villagers further asked to shift poles on dangerous location from the MDR. Villagers pointed that while the road is widened, the electricity poles are still on the road posing danger to commuters.
