MARGAO
Underground power cabling is widely regarded as a sustainable, long-term solution to the frequent outages that plague overhead electricity distribution systems — particularly during the monsoon, when heavy rains and strong winds routinely disrupt supply.
Both experts and consumers caution that such a transition must be guided by a comprehensive, well-structured roadmap rather than a piecemeal approach influenced by shifting political priorities.
But in Salcete taluka, the rollout of this infrastructure upgrade tells a more uneven story. While some constituencies have benefited from the shift to underground lines over the years, others are only now beginning to see movement, and several continue to depend on ageing overhead infrastructure that remains vulnerable to failure.
Early winners, late starters
Margao, the commercial hub of South Goa, was among the earliest beneficiaries of underground cabling, with the initial phase implemented more than two decades ago. The project was launched when then MLA Digambar Kamat held the Power portfolio. The city’s power infrastructure received a further boost during Kamat’s tenure as Chief Minister, when additional improvements helped strengthen the electricity distribution network.
A similar trajectory was seen in the erstwhile Loutolim constituency, now Nuvem. Significant underground cabling work was undertaken during the tenure of its MLA, Aleixo Sequeira, when he served as Power Minister. Several villages were covered in that phase. After his return to the Assembly in 2022 and subsequent alignment with the ruling BJP, the remaining areas—including Majorda—have been taken up.
Political alignment shapes progress
Elsewhere in Salcete, progress has often coincided with political alignment with the government of the day. Constituencies like Curtorim, which were left out of earlier phases, are only now being integrated into the underground cabling network. Curtorim, represented by Independent MLA Reginald Lourenco, is an ally of the ruling coalition.
Meanwhile, Cuncolim, represented by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, is presently witnessing underground cabling work. Residents in these areas are hopeful that the long-awaited upgrades will finally deliver a stable and uninterrupted power supply.
Velim still in the waiting line
Velim, however, remains one of the few constituencies still awaiting the commencement of underground cabling. MLA Cruz Silva has indicated that the government has prepared two estimates totalling approximately Rs 100 crore to bring the constituency’s villages under the project.
Call for a clear roadmap
“Over the past four years, we have secured sanctions to replace ageing overhead conductors in several locations. We now hope the government will take a holistic view and initiate underground cabling in Velim at the earliest,” Silva said.
The uneven pace of implementation across Salcete has reignited calls for a transparent and time-bound roadmap to ensure equitable infrastructure development. Residents, industry stakeholders, and civic groups argue that access to reliable power should not depend on political patronage or shifting alliances, but instead be driven by objective planning, technical necessity, and public interest.
