MAPUSA
Power Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar on Saturday said work to set up the new sub-station in Saligao will be started immediately after Diwali even as work to convert the high tension (HT) lines underground has been initiated by the government in all 40 constituencies.
Dhavalikar also said that 150 MW of green energy will be manufactured in Goa in the next three years.
“We have issued the work order of Rs 350 crore to erect a new sub-station in Saligao. The work on the project will be taken up immediately after Diwali. This sub-station will not only help in improving the power situation in the entire Bardez taluka but also part of Pernem. It will also benefit the industries,” Dhavalikar said.
The Power Minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of the Rs 94 crore worth underground cabling project in Aldona in the presence of Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, Chief Electrical Engineer, Stephen Fernandes, former Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar, sarpanchas of Aldona, Pomburpa, Nachinola, Moira and Bastora and other officials.
Speaking further, Dhavalikar said every power minister ensured that the HT lines are converted underground in his constituency and some have also converted LT lines underground.
“But nobody had taken up the work of converting the HT lines underground in all 40 constituencies. That work I have started under the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” he said. “In almost six constituencies, we have allotted Rs 60 crore for underground cabling work. HT lines will be pushed underground everywhere, especially in hilly and coastal areas,” he added.
He said for the first time in the history of Goa Rs 649 crore was allotted to the State government, out of which Rs 289 crore was only for underground cabling. The power minister also informed that around 640 old transformers will be changed.
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira said underground cabling was the need of the hour in the constituency due to frequent power interruptions and thanked the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar for sanctioning the project in Aldona.
“There were many attempts to block this project but I am thankful to everyone including the officials of the electricity department who have made this possible,” Ferreira said.
Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes, former MLA Dayanand Narvekar and Nachinola Sarpanch Freddy Fernandes also spoke.
