the goan I network
VASCO
The four-lane National Highway 17A between Verna and Mangor has plunged into darkness as none of the streetlights installed during BRICS have been functional for several days now on account of non-payment of electricity dues.
As a result, several accidents have been reported along this stretch of the highway which is completely engulfed in darkness after dusk. This poses grave danger to motorists. While some parts are waterlogged with rain water, at some spots stray cattle can be found squatting in the middle of the road and chewing the grass growing along the road divider.
While people have been complaining about the lack of illumination, a confusion between the contractor of the street lights, the state government and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has emerged over who will pay the outstanding dues before the Electricity Board can restore the power supply to the same.
When contacted, the project director of NHAI, P S Dodamani said that the lights were non-functional over pending issues of electricity bill amounting to
Rs 60 lakhs.
Dodamani said that he had even met the State electricity board for a waiver but it was not accepted but confirmed that NHAI headquarters had finally readied the money to be paid to the state electricity board.
“We have taken up the matter with NHAI headquarters in Delhi regarding approvals and paying of arrears to the state government which is around Rs 60 lakhs,” said Dodamani, adding, “I had taken up the matter with the electricity department, government of Goa and also attended a meeting with the Minister. But they said that this was not a state government road and comes under the central government, and that they will not bear the cost. We will soon clear the arrears and lights will be restored along the highway,” added
Dodamani.
