Nasci,
Excellent piece of work on you part to put together such a detailed
document.
I worked for the Electricity Department as a Junior Engineer, for a couple
of years
in the early 80s and have a fair idea about its functioning. I worked in the
office
of the then Chief Electrical Engineer, Mr. J.U. Pereira. He had a lot of
ideas in mind
that he tried to implement including harnishing of Wind power. Goa was then
at
the mercy of Maharashtra and Karnataka. They would cut off power to Goa at
will,
whenever they had to do any load shedding. I think it was the idea of Mr.
Pereira
to implement the use of Circuit breakers then.
In general, the process of acquiring equipment for the El Dept was flawed
and was
mostly managed by DGS&D, as Goa was then a Union Territory. The equipment
that
was delivered used to be inspected by DGS&D, in say some part of India, and
approved
and sent. Most of the times, it was defective and the money used to be
already paid
to the supplier. In short, corruption dominated the process, rather than
quality of equipment!
Jeeps and trucks used to be acquired for the Dept, but the lineman could be
seen
taking the ladders on their bicycles, through the streets of Panjim! The
Executive Engineer
would rather use the vehicle to shuttle himself or his family to work. to
school/market or to
to ferry himself and his staff to Altinho!
The lineman did not have proper training, tools and equipment to fix the
problems. The
houses and homes of influential politicians and officials got priority over
the common man's
needs. A lot of linemen have lost their lives due to inadequate training and
equipment.
Electrical connections used to be released to consumers in villages to meet
the political
agenda of full electrification of Goa, without ascertaining the availability
of power. The
power losses used to be in double digits but used to be manipulated to look
good!!
I am sure that there is still a lot of faulty and substandard equipment in
the system that
cannot be easily discarded. A lot of capital investment will be required to
clean up the
mess of the past.
I know that there are quite a few experienced and able Engineers at
Electricity Department
like the present CEE Mr. Braganza, who can do a lot, provided there is the
will and the
support to do it.
I think BEST and BSES in Bombay are doing an excellent job and can perhaps
be engaged
to turn things around in Goa.
But, total elimination of corruption is the only way to improve any
infrastructure in Goa.
And as long as corrupt and selfish politicians exist, that will only be a
dream.
Nagesh
Nagesh Bhatcar
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: "Nasci Caldeira" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi all,
As a Goan and being fond of Goa so much, is the reason, I have made this
effort and will continue with it; however it is always better to get some
constructive input from goanetters, in Goa as well as from those living
outside Goa/ India.
<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>
This is all from me, for today. Thank you guys for reading me! Let the
ideas and minds mix and flow, to create a true 'heaven' in Goa, Let us
reclaim 'Paradise Lost' starting now.
