Overhead and dangling cables, which pose threat to the safety of pedestrians and motorists in Vasco, will soon become history once the underground cabling work that has received administrative approval is completed, likely, in one year.
On Thursday morning, Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar along with city councillor Shami Salkar and electricity department officers undertook an inspection of the sites where overhead cables are hanging dangerously low.
These cables have been a cause of major concern because of several vehicular accidents and injuries to commuters in the port town.
After the inspection, Salkar informed reporters that his vision was overhead cable-free Vasco. Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar has promised he will facilitate immediate start to the underground cabling work, he informed.
When asked about the estimates and other issues related to underground cabling work, Salkar informed, "The Swatantra Path and F L Gomes Road will be taken up first. This work will cost around Rs 15 crore. If the internal road from the city is taken for underground cabling then the estimate may go upto Rs 22 to 25 crores." The work will be taken up phase-wise, he added.
City councillor Shami Salkar pointed out that the low-lying cables are causing great inconvenience to commuters. There have been cases of accidents, injuries to two-wheeler riders in the past due to these cables, she said.
"Underground cabling would solve this problem. This issue was raised in the municipal council meeting but due to no policy decision from the government, the council was unable to act," she added.
Meanwhile, the electricity department engineers present at the site inspection informed that the underground cabling work will start soon in Vasco. It will first start in Vasco city and later in other municipal areas such as New Vaddem and Mangor, they informed.