MAPUSA
With Calangute continuing to reel under power cuts even after the end of 72-hour deadline, Chief Electrical Engineer (CEE), Stephen Fernandes on Monday appealed for three more days to resolve the power issue in the beach village.
Fernandes informed that almost 80 percent work has been completed and the balance 20 percent will be accomplished in another three days, which will end the problem of constant power outages taking place in Calangute.
“In another three days, the power scenario will improve considerably in Calangute. Improvement of power supply is a continuous process. I have instructed the officials that none of the domestic consumers should suffer power cuts. We are also concerned about the hotels which fetch revenue to the State. So, we will work together to provide much improved supply to the people in the village,” Fernandes said.
The CEE met and interacted with panchayat members and locals in the Calangute panchayat office on Monday. Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, Executive Engineer Pradip Narvekar and AE Benny Barretto were also present.
Several locals admitted that there was improvement in the supply especially during the nights but the problem was not fully resolved and that power cuts continued during the day.
A villager informed that the local power department officials refused to take complaint calls which was frustrating.
Another local questioned the CEE whether the department would compensate the people who lost valuable goods like refrigerators and TVs due to power fluctuation.
The CEE, however, responded that there was no such facility from the department’s side.
The villagers also requested the power department chief to reinstate the roads dug up to lay the underground power cables in the village.
The CEE informed the gathering that enough power was available with the department but there was a need of infrastructure to distribute it.
“Next 15 days is critical. After that the load will come down. Then you will not have any problem for the next six months. In order to resolve the long-term problem, we will try to take up big projects within these six months so that people do not face slightest problems in future,” Fernandes said.
