Fault near diesel generator disrupts services; lifts affected, ICU remains operational
MAPUSA
A short circuit in the low-tension (LT) electrical panel near the diesel generator (DG) set caused a power outage in a section of the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo), Mapusa, on Monday evening, inconveniencing patients, doctors and hospital staff for four hours.
The incident occurred at around 4.30 pm, with the power supply being restored only around 8.30 pm after emergency repair work.
While the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) remained unaffected, several other sections of the hospital were left without electricity during the outage.
The breakdown also disrupted lift services, forcing relatives of patients to manually carry and assist patients to the upper floors of the hospital.
The prevailing hot and humid weather further added to the discomfort of patients, visitors and hospital staff during the power failure.
Medical Superintendent Dr Varsha Munj said the short circuit occurred close to the DG set.
As a precautionary measure, authorities decided to disconnect power to the generator system to avoid any further risk.
“We did not want to take any chances after the short circuit occurred near the DG set. Therefore, the power supply to the generator was also cut off as a safety measure,” Dr Munj said.
Officials from the Electricity Department, Public Works Department (PWD) and the hospital’s maintenance team worked jointly to rectify the fault and restore the power supply.
Following repair work, electricity was restored at around 8.30 pm.
Dr Munj said that a comprehensive maintenance check of the hospital’s electrical infrastructure had been scheduled for Sunday to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Congress slams government over power outage
Mapusa: Congress leader Amarnath Panjikar on Monday criticised the BJP government over the nearly four-hour power outage at the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa, calling it a case of administrative failure and poor maintenance of essential public infrastructure.
Panjikar said the outage disrupted key services such as lifts, lighting and medical equipment, causing inconvenience to patients, doctors, nurses, visitors and hospital staff.
Calling the incident a serious lapse, he questioned how a major government hospital that serves thousands of people could be left without power for such a long period.
He said the incident raised concerns about the preparedness of the health and power departments, as well as the reliability of emergency backup systems.
Panjikar also criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, accusing the government of ignoring basic infrastructure issues while focusing on publicity and announcements.
“If the government cannot ensure uninterrupted electricity at a hospital, how can people trust it to protect lives and public welfare?” he asked.
Panjikar demanded an immediate inquiry into the incident, action against those responsible, and urgent steps to prevent similar disruptions at hospitals across Goa in future.
