the goan I network
MARGAO
The power department has been moving at a snail’s pace to procure and provide CFL bulbs to the sub-divisions which have been facing difficulties to tide over shortage of bulbs to light several streets which are in darkness.
A month ago, the sub-divisions of Margao and Fatorda had knocked the doors of the Margao Municipal Council with a plea to supply bulbs and spares to light up the streets for want of spares in the department. Inquiries now reveal that the power department has received only a small consignment of CFL bulbs.
To be precise, power officials in the two divisions informed that they have received around 50 CFL bulbs each when the requirement is pegged around 300-400 at any given time. “Street light spares is not a one-time affair. The department should continuously place the spares with the divisions at any given time to meet the requirements,” a senior power official conceded, adding that they are managing without illuminating all the electric poles.
Monday night saw the entire road from Hospicio hospital right down towards Pajifond in total darkness, indicating the failure of the power department on the upkeep and maintenance of the street lights.
Motorists travelling on the NH-17 via the Margao flyover towards Cuncolim had been complaining of non-functioning street lights at many places along the stretch of
the highway.
Sources in the know informed that the electricity division looking after the areas of Cuncolim, Assolna, Velim, Chinchinim and other places has been the worst affected. It is learnt that the division received only a few lamps recently which are hardly adequate to meet the requirements of even one village.
A resident of Sao Jose de Areal, Menino Fernandes pointed out that he had recently complained to the power department about the non-functioning street lights near the Sonu Township.
Given the situation, power officials working on the ground are now pinning their hopes on the ensuing Ganesh Chathurti festival which falls in the first week of September to receive the quota of bulbs and spares to light the streets.
After Parrikar, Parsekar to
distribute bulbs in Margao
MARGAO: If Madgavkars thought that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was the only party leader to have been given the task by the party leadership to lead the LED bulb distributions in Salcete, hold on.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar will descend on the commercial capital on July 14 for the same task. That’s not all. The BJP Margao block headed by President Subodh Govekar has chalked out a function at the Margao Cricket Club, Rajendra Prasad stadium, for the Chief Minister to distribute the LED bulbs.
Govekar informed that the CM will distribute the free LED bulbs to consumers at the MCC hall as per the schedule drawn by the government. So far, BJP leaders, including the Defence Minister, Power Minister Milind Naik and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar have the bulbs.
While many consumers have not been able to lay their hands on the free bulbs during distribution programmes presided by BJP leaders, officials says that those left out can claim their share from their respective divisions.
