DARKNESS BEFORE LIGHT
* Mapusa electricity dept says power shutdown has been arranged only in the day and for 1-2 hours in a particular area
* Department says it could consider postponing the replacement exercise if the public is against the timing of the work
* The shutdown will be for a short time, maybe one to two hours, according to Assistant Engineer Norman Athaide
* The shutdown has been staggered because there are over 400 transformers in each sub-division, says the Asst Engineer
Planned X-Mas eve power
shutdowns irk Bardezkars
Power dept plans to replace existing streetlights with LEDs
THE GOAN NETWORK
In a press release, the electricity department has informed the public of Mapusa, Aldona, Ucassaim, Bastora, Porvorim, Calangute, Guirim and Parra that it has “undertaken the work of replacing all existing streetlights with LED lights.”
MAPUSA
Bardezkars are left in the dark over the electricity department's decision to go for power outages during Christmas eve to allow it to undertake in phases work of replacing the existing streetlights with LED fixtures in many parts of the taluka.
While Assistant Engineer Norman Athaide said the department this was a good time to light up the streets as it was Christmas season, people are not too pleased as no specific place, date and time of the power shutdowns have been mentioned.
“Accordingly, M/s EESL, New Delhi, is entrusted with the works in the areas pertaining to Division-VI, Mapusa besides other parts of the state. In order to replace the existing streetlights, power shutdown has to be availed on various transformers as such there will be interrupted power supply during the work at the above locations as and when required,” the press release added.
The press release was quickly circulated on WhatsApp and other social media to many people in the affected areas. People responses were quick, with many questioning the timing of the exercise and the vague schedule.
“Need to ask them why this work can't be done after Christmas,” was the reaction of a woman from Aldona.
Another woman from Porvorim added: “As and when required... ." Wow such detailed information from the government, I'm impressed!!!”
A resident from Pilerne had this to add, “With no specific place, date and time for these power shut downs, people in the affected areas will be left clueless on when and where their area will face a power outage.”
Meanwhile, clarifying that the power shutdown has been arranged only in the day and for 1-2 hours in a particular area, the Mapusa electricity department said the department could consider postponing the replacement exercise if the public was against the timing of the work.
“The shutdown will be for a short time, maybe one to two hours. It won’t create much of an inconvenience to public,” Athaide told The Goan.
He further said the shutdown has been staggered because there were over 400 transformers in each sub-division. “Under division VI, there are four sub-divisions. Each of these sub-division has more than 400 transformers. We cannot issue shutdown notices on each and every transformer,” the assistant engineer explained.
Acknowledging that the timing of the shutdown coincided with the oncoming Christmas season, the assistant engineer said if the public was against the timing, the department could consider deferring the replacement exercise.
