Laying of underground power cables at Keri- Sattari presently underway by the electricity department has inconvenienced villagers mightily. Workers employed by the contractor were not aware that underground water pipelines and optical fibre cables existed in the area and their excavation work damaged both resulting in massive wastage of water and shutting down of internet services. Water has accumulated at numerous places which is proving a hindrance to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Also construction machinery has been parked by the powerline laying agency on a narrow road causing massive traffic congestion at Keri. Why is it so difficult for government agencies and contractors to work in a co-ordinated manner to carry out civil works smoothly. All underground utilities in Goa should be mapped out and put on a common smart grid available to concerned authorities so that contractors know about other services that lie buried in their area of operations. This will eliminate damage, needless disruptions and wastage of taxpayer's money. A nodal agency should be appointed by the state government to carry out the survey and digital mapping soonest.
