‘Power fluctuations in South Goa due to late repairs by Karnataka’

Panaji: Power minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar on Friday said that work on the new electricity sub-stations at Mandrem, Verna, and Saligao are presently on, which, once ready, will resolve most of power fluctuations issues across the state. He said that the fluctuations in South Goa are being experienced as Karnataka fell behind in taking up repairs on a line coming to Goa on account of the recent assembly elections conducted there.
“As the monsoon was about to begin, there were lot of fluctuations. We receive power from Karnataka through the line coming from Ambewadi, and as Karnataka was going to polls, it started maintenance work only from Thursday. Hence, there are a lot of fluctuation issues in South Goa. In Calangute, however, 90% of the fluctuation complaints have been resolved,” Dhavalikar said.
He also said that the new sub-station at Mandrem in the Pernem taluka, will be ready this month.
“The 50MVA sub-station at Verna will also be ready this month. After these two sub-stations are ready, there will be lot of improvement in power supply to Verna, Cuncolim, other parts of Salcete, and in Pernem too,” Dhavalikar said.
Saligao too will soon get a new sub-station worth Rs 350 crore, which will cater to the entire North Goa coastal belt and will include Mapusa and Porvorim. “This will completely resolve issues in these areas. We require 540 days to complete work. The substation will be able to meet the requirement in these areas for the next 15 years,” the minister said, after holding a meeting with all electricity department engineers.
In South Goa, all damaged transformers will be replaced in four to five days after new tenders are issued in a day’s time, thereby completely resolving any problems, Dhavalikar said.
“Those interacting with citizens who call with their grievances will also be provided training on how to respond courteously,” the minister said.
Equipment required by linemen, including raincoats, will be provided this month, he said and disclosed that 200 more linemen will be hired by August to overcome staff shortages.
“There are issues with power supply every monsoon, but we have kept the promise made in the assembly that works worth Rs 40 crore will be taken up in each constituency. In some, tenders are being issued, while in some other constituencies, work has either already been completed or is in progress. We have also decided to take up works related to the upcoming exposition of St Francis Xavier’s relics,” Dhavalikar said. He added that laying high tension cables underground in areas of touristic importance and in agricultural, coastal and forest zones will reduce fluctuations and curb losses.