Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: Angered at the frequent power outages becoming a regular feature in Canacona, leaders and others representing all walks of people gheraoed Goa Electricity Officials at the Canacona Electricity office on Monday.
For almost a week, the entire taluka of Canacona has suffered from frequent and erratic power outages, sometimes for as long as 14-16 hours and also after every 5 minutes, with the department resorting to power shedding after intervals of every one-two hours. People have complained about damages/burning to their equipment and gadgets, while others claim business losses daily.
When agitators were questioned for power failures of unseen magnitude, especially has commenced soon after the electricity department had a shutdown for pre-monsoon maitainnances works, Canacona Assistant Engineer Govind Bhat to accept major equipment breakdowns at Cunolim at Xeldem actually caused the severe power disruptions in Canacona.
The AE informed that Battery was burnt at Cuncolim Sub-Station, from where Canacona, Velim and a few more Power Stations draw power. We at Canacona are totally dependent on Cuncolim sub-Station, and we don’t have a second source at all. ‘ When there was a short supply, we tried to carry out power shedding depending on the areas, provided -12 and a half to a one-hour power supply to Palolem, Chaudi, Loliem, Agonda, etc. Now, this problem has been rectified, fixed, and informed that the tenders are being finalized on June 21st 2023 and by June 21st 2024, the underground cabling will be completed in Canacona.
Agitators also complained that people are being fooled in full daylight, stating Canacona Vission-2030 has also solved the power problems and no power outages are going to happen ‘Canconkars are highest taxpayers and yet why Canaconcars are worst sufferers .in Canacona.
They also requested not to carry out the cabling in coastal beach areas if it happens during the peak tourism season; he also said on record that the Cuncolim power supply problem has been fixed.
Accompanying the agitators, leaders like Janardhan Bhandari, Vikas Bhagat, Jack Fernandes, Gaspar Couthinho and others warned that if the electricity supply is not improved in the next five days, they will launch a violent protest.
On this occasion, Vaishnav Pednekar, Gaspar Coutinho, Clayston Viegas, Vaishal Pagi, Siddharth Gayak, Succour da Silva, and other activists were present.
