Underground cabling runs over the ground at Angod Mapusa. Captured by : Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
The Mapusa electricity department has initiated a comprehensive review of the ongoing underground power cabling works, following allegations of a scam by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The allegations, which accused the department of executing substandard work and using inferior materials, have prompted senior engineers to also inspect various parts of the town.
A senior engineer in the Mapusa electricity department, confirmed the action.
“I have asked for a report of the ongoing underground power cabling works in Mapusa. We will also undertake an inspection of certain areas to get a first-hand evaluation,” the engineer stated.
AAP on Thursday claimed that the project, worth several crores, was marred by substandard work and the use of inferior cables.
They alleged insufficient excavation depth, lack of protective bedding and covers and the absence of required earthing and markers as specified in the tender.
Highlighting potential long-term issues and safety concerns, AAP leaders criticised the quality of work.
“The use of inferior cables compromises the integrity of the electrical infrastructure,” they argued.
Power Minister Sudhin Dhavlikar had refuted the allegations, maintaining that the power department had adhered to quality standards.
Despite his assurances, the AAP released additional video and photographic evidence on Friday, purportedly exposing the substandard work.
The footage shows cables placed on the ground inside pipes near the cemetery of the Mapusa church and instances where shallow excavation has left cables exposed after soil erosion due to rain.
“At other places, the depth of excavation is so shallow that the soil has washed off in the rain, exposing the cables. How is this ‘undergrounding’?” questioned Salman Khan, an AAP leader from Mapusa.
Khan challenged the power minister to join him for a site inspection to witness the alleged substandard work first-hand.
As the controversy unfolds, the Mapusa electricity department’s investigation aims to address the concerns raised and ensure the safety and integrity of the town’s electrical infrastructure.
