Power breakdown in tourist belt: Goa govt complains to ACB

Goa power ministry has filed a case with the anti-corruption bureau after sub-standard work by a contractor led to major power cuts in the coastal belt of North Goa last week.
The electricity department officials alleged that the kits on the 33KV underground double circuit line connecting Thivim to Porvorim, travelling 15 kms, conked off during monsoons, resulting in black outs in the coastal belt, which is a tourist hub.
The state had witnessed power failures last week in the coastal belt after Porvorim sub-station, which feeds electricity to Saligao sub-station covering the coastal belt, had stopped getting power supply for few hours.

"The work on connecting Thivim to Porvorim had been completed in February 2013 but within a month the line began crumbling down. Sub-standard material was used by the contractor who was awarded the tender during former Congress regime in 2011," a senior official said.
The department has filed complaint with the ACB demanding inquiry against the officials responsible for approving and awarding the work.
The officials said that the department had to switch over to the supply from Thivim to Porvorim via Nachinola sub station, which did not have the capacity to handle the pressure and hence it also started collapsing.

The power cuts had affected the supply to beach villages including Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Verem, Reis Magos and Saligao, which are prominent tourism hubs.