Although it's common sense that available power supply should be utilised in the best possible manner, still we notice large scale carelesslness or wastage of power when it comes to streetlights. The prescribed on-off timings are not complied with as frequently streetlights, fixtures over electricity poles are found illuminated even during broad daylight.
The situation has been worsening day by day. For instance, on December 27 and 28, fixtures at Ravinagar-Khadpabandh in Ponda were found in switch-on mode at 9:50 am and 9:30 am respectively. The location is adjacent to the residence of local MLA Ravi Naik. Similarly on December 28, fixtures at Durbhat Bazaar were found illuminating at 9 am and at Talaulim (in the vicinity of Government Primary School) at 9:20 am. There is every possibility of such cases occurring in other parts of this town as well.
At some locations, streetlights are being switched on much early in the evening ie between 4:30 to 5 when the actual timing for this purpose has been prescribed as 6 pm. Such acts should stop immediately.
The higher officials at the electricity department in Ponda should take a note of this serious matter and instruct the concerned maintenance staff to remain punctual with regard to the on-off timings pertaining to streetlights. Let us hope that wastage of precious energy in any manner is avoided on a permanent basis.
PRAVIN U SARDESSAI, Adpai
