SP asks power dept to light up streets

SP asks power dept to light up streets
Burglars Have Field Day Under Cover Of Darkness
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: When it’s pitch dark and raining heavily, the most unwanted ‘creatures’ — burglars — are at work. This, because no one can hear them break into a house due to the sound of thunder and the darkness that provides them cover.
Alarmed by the spurt in theft cases and the cops’ failure in nabbing the culprits, North Goa superintendent of police has written a letter to the chief engineer of the electricity department requesting him to at least illuminate the streets.
“The burglars go about their task under the cover of darkness and the police are also helpless when it comes to tracing them,” said SP Bosco George regarding the increase in number of thefts over the last couple of days.
There is an increase in the number of theft cases during the monsoon.
In North Goa district alone, almost two cases of theft are reported everyday. In the last one week, nearly eight houses were burgled, most of which were locked. Besides, the burglars often strike in the dark.
It has also been noticed that the street lights do not work along the Betim-Porvorim stretch light up to O Coqueiro. This is dangerous to drivers, especially with the heavy downpour.
“We hope that the electricity department will respond to our request favourably,” added George.
The state has witnessed frequent power cuts at night in the last week and electricity department officials blame it on uprooted trees.
This, despite the fact that the department completes the pre-monsoon exercise of maintaining high tension wires and pruning of tree branches three months before the onset of the rains.
However, coming out in support of the electricity officials power minister Aleixo Sequeira says that there have been frequent power cuts because the state has been lashed by heavy rains and winds since the last 48 hours.
“The situation may not change much if this continues for another 24 to 48 hours . But, we are trying our best to provide power to each and every consumer,” said Sequeira.
He further said that they were having trouble because of uprooted tress that snap lines .
“Severe lightning is also playing havoc with the main high tension lines. Besides, there are so many accidents taking place,” he said
“Several vehicles crash into electricity poles thereby damaging the lines. Yet, we are trying our best to provide 24-hour power supply to our consumers,” added Sequeira.

June 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition