PERNEM
Many parts of Pernem taluka continued to be without power and water supply for the fourth day in a row.
While power supply was restored in some parts by Wednesday, the taluka struggled to receive water supply and unhappy locals blamed political leaders and officials concerned for having failed to restore water supply to Pernem taluka.
The Chandel water project with 15 MLD capacity have been proven insufficient and only a few water tanks could be filled. Many people had to rely on packaged water for drinking purposes and some travelled great distances to procure water for domestic consumption.
Many locals in Morjim also accused the electricity department of being biased towards hotel owners in the area.
"Power supply was restored to hotel businesses quickly, but same can't be said for domestic use. Local linemen did not put in sufficient efforts either," lamented social worker Chandrakant Shetgaonkar.
Locals also questioned the continuous power cuts on the pretext of pre-monsoon work.
"The electricity would go off for half a day on many occasions, but electricity department staff did not cut most trees or branches which were close to power lines. When the cyclone struck, these trees and branches fell on electricity cables, disrupting power supply all over Pernem taluka,” complained a local.
