PANAJI
It’s been over four years now that the citizens from Cardoz Waddo-Taleigao have registered and paid for piped natural gas (PNG) supply; however, the Goa Natural Gas Pvt Ltd (GNGPL) is yet to provide connections.
Interestingly, the housing colonies located surrounding the area have already received the pipe gas connections and supply too has resumed. Irked with lack of response from the authorities, the residents are planning to move the consumer court or any other appellate authority for necessary intervention and directions.
A resident said, “It has been more than four years now that the gas agency approached the households here, collected money, installed even the meters but there is no pipeline laid. We are without any connection.”
“While GNGPL has covered almost all surrounding areas, only this 100-150 meter road stretch is left out from the laying pipeline,” the resident said.
Another resident said, “We have no idea as to whom to approach…we had gone to public works department, who said that it is not under their domain…now we will have to knock on the doors of consumer court or other authorities for some action.”
In November, last year, the resident approached GNGPL manager of operation Rahul Dubey with their concern. He pointed out that the residents have paid Rs 500 which is the registration amount to start the gas supply and they have to pay security deposit of Rs 5,500.
“We agreed to pay and even requested him for help as how to go about. But till date, they have failed to get in touch with us and our attempts have also failed,” the resident said.
Following concern raised by the locals, a team of GNGPL visited the site in November itself and admitted that the pipeline has not been laid. They refused to disclose the reason for not laying the pipeline in that 100-150 meter road stretch.
When contacted, Dubey preferred not to respond to the queries.
According to the sources, GNGPL has not obtained permission to dig the road, as they were unaware whether it is a private road or belongs to PWD.
The GNGPL is a joint venture between BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd) and GAIL (Gas Authority of India Ltd) and is authorised to supply piped gas to North Goa and Ponda. They have a short-term target of 10,000 active customers and also intend to add 1,000 new customers every year. As of now, they are supplying piped gas to around 6,000 domestic kitchens.
