MARGAO
Failure to clear overhead cables in the commercial capital has triggered a blame game of sorts involving the Margao Municipal Council and the power department.
While MMC Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik has sought to blame the power department for overhead cables seen hanging on the electric poles, power officials have feigned ignorance on the municipality’s drive to remove all overhead cables in the city.
The row began when the CO told the media on Wednesday morning that the power department has not cooperated with the civic body to remove the overhead cables hanging on the electric poles. “These cables are stringed on to the electric poles all over the city. Till date, however, the power department has not got these overhead cables removed as part of the exercise to make the city free from overhead cables,” Siddivinayak told the media.
Electricity department Assistant Engineer, Carlos Fernandes, however, begged to differ. He pointed out that the CO should have had the courtesy of at least informing him about MMC’s drive before blaming the power department. “The MMC has not informed my office about any plan to remove the overhead cables in the city. How can the CO expect the power department to cooperate when no correspondence has been made about the drive,” Carlos wondered.
To a query, he said the power department is empowered to grant permissions for the cable operators to string their cables to the electric poles upon payment of fees. “Recently, we had asked many a cable operator to find out whether they had obtained any permission from the department, but the response has been negative,” he said.
