Goans' 'shocking' moments with death oHERALDo BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 21 - The 'shock' treatment to three girls while trying to retrieve a playing ring (tennikoit) with an iron rod, because of the proximity of a high tension line to an apartment, has opened a Pandora's box on the safety aspect of the power distribution system in the State. While the installation of cables by the Electricity Department is 'strictly' checked by an independent authority called the Central Electrical Authority (CEA), no approval is given by the CEA if the specifications are not followed as per the electricity rules (Electricity Act 2003).
Herald investigations revealed that it is during installation of electrical connections, that safety norms are violated thus putting thousands of Goans inches away from death. Chief electricity engineer, Nirmal Braganza says, "Goa has an electricity network of 14,000 kilometers and it is increasing at a fast rate which is adversely affecting maintenance." Despite pre and post monsoon maintenance checks, shortage of staff is often cited for poor upkeep of the cables. In villages it's a different story. Bent poles supporting electricity cables, transmitters inside private properties and high tension wires close to windows pose a grave danger to the residents. A senior electrical engineer admits that while in an emergency the department fixes the problem temporarily, once breakdowns accumulate, maintenance work is held up. While the "Electricity Rules of 2005" give various safety specifications and conditions to be followed not only by the electricity suppliers but also consumers, the ground reality is grossly different. On keeping safe distances between buildings and high or medium tension wires, a power official lays the blame squarely on the builders, who he says "violate the specifications through expansion of the building without clearances from the Electricity Department." Agrees secretary of the Porvorim Residents Association, Juino De Souza, "NOC's are issued to the builders by the department but the clearances are not monitored." Juino also says that the panchayats and municipalities should take an NOC from the Electricity Department for any upcoming buildings or constructions so that there is no violation of the safety specifications between the buildings and the already existing lines, which they do not do. Also no material, agricultural produce should be dumped or stored below a power line, Braganza says and adds that "people continue to grow trees below high or medium tension lines." Speaking on a solution to the power safety aspect, Braganza says that the main solution would be underground lines as is being done in Panjim and Margao. "But doing this across the State is not possible because of the cost factor," he concludes. Till then Goans will continue to live within arms length from an electrifying moment with death.
