Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 29: Operations at the Goa Police Calangute Traffic Cell have come to a halt after the local village panchayat disconnected its electricity supply over unpaid dues amounting to around Rs 8 lakh.

The traffic cell, which has been functioning from the Poriat football ground in Tivai Vaddo since 2012, reportedly failed to clear its electricity bill for over a decade, prompting the action by the Calangute Village Panchayat.

The unit was originally shifted from the Calangute police station premises following a request made during the tenure of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Since then, it has continued operations from the temporary location provided by the panchayat.

According to Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, the traffic cell did not make any payment toward electricity charges since its relocation in 2012, despite repeated reminders. He said multiple letters were sent to senior police officials, including the SP, DySP, and PI of the traffic cell, but no response was received.

In a final notice issued on April 2, the panchayat warned that power would be disconnected within seven days if dues were not cleared. With no communication from the police authorities even after weeks of waiting, the panchayat eventually switched off the main power supply.

Sequeira stated that while the panchayat has consistently paid electricity charges to the electricity department, it bore the burden of the traffic cell’s consumption without reimbursement. He also highlighted that the panchayat had provided additional logistical support over the years, including sewage removal services for police personnel stationed at the site.

He further noted that in the early years of the arrangement, the panchayat even provided a vehicle for traffic management duties in Calangute, with fuel and maintenance costs also being covered locally.

The sarpanch added that the panchayat has repeatedly requested authorities to shift the traffic cell back to the police station premises, especially after structural changes in nearby policing arrangements, but no action has been taken so far.

With electricity now disconnected, the functioning of the traffic cell has been severely affected, raising concerns about traffic management in the busy Calangute area, particularly during peak tourist seasons.