Trinath
Billyground, June 16: Here comes monsoon and there goes Electricity. This is the most commonly used phrase of Middle Andaman. Andaman Sheekha had highlighted about the pathetic condition of electricity department in Middle Andaman, several occasions in past but nothing has changed till now in ground level.
Condition is so bad that most of the site offices of North and Middle Andaman now lack Linesmen, Meter-Readers and Labourers, naturally this is the main reason behind such poor service of Electricity Department in Middle Andaman. In case of any breakdown the repair works are required for 10 to 15 hours and due to lack of staffs the duration of repair works go upto 20 to 24 hours.
Several years back the Department had provided VHF sets to all the site offices and also power houses in Middle Andaman for receiving emergency calls today almost all the VHF sets are out of order.
Most of the electric poles in North and Middle Andaman are 25 to 30 years old and require immediate replacement but sadly the poles are replaced only when it falls on public or vehicles.
At present, no senior officials like AEs have been posted in the areas of Panchwati to Basantipur to handle the critical situation, instead only the JE’s have been posted to look after all works. In case of any breakdown these JEs are made to run from one area to other and hence during that time, people of the affected area, remain under total darkness.
Residents of Billyground have been demanding to install a DG set at Billyground as during rainy season, entire area around Billyground witness flooding. In middle Andaman region Billyground, Swadeshnagar, Pinakinagar,Korangnallah, Govindapur and Betapur are most important shelters during such calamities.
The residents of North and Middle Andaman allege that the Power Grid Corporation had laid underground power cable in all the regions but nowhere it works and hence they demand a thorough inquiry in this regard.
Above all the residents require immediate intervention of the Lt. Governor in this regard and order a separate audit for North and Middle Andaman.
