In a decisive move, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered an immediate halt to the recurring disruption of internet services caused by the electricity department's cable-cutting activities. The directive came during a high-level meeting convened on Friday, within 24 hours of the CM receiving a stern joint memorandum from nine leading industrial associations in the state.
Directives Issued to End Connectivity Chaos
The meeting, attended by Chief Secretary V. Candavelou, resulted in clear orders that no internet cables are to be cut henceforth. To prevent future conflicts, the government has established a new escalation protocol. All critical matters related to cable infrastructure will now be raised directly to the secretary level for prompt resolution.
Furthermore, the state administration has assured immediate steps to regularise all pending payments owed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to the Department of Information Technology. In a bid for a permanent fix, the government has also committed to expediting the ongoing underground cabling project for faster completion.
Industry Warning Forces Swift Government Action
The government's swift response was triggered by a powerful collective warning from Goa's key business organizations. The industrial bodies had expressed deep frustration over the "deteriorating" situation, highlighting that previous assurances to resolve the issue had been ignored.
Their frustration peaked after the electricity department cut fibre optic cables in Margao on Wednesday, damaging main feed lines. This latest incident caused significant internet outages across Borda, Fatorda, Gogol, Margao town, Aquem, and surrounding areas.
The memorandum argued that these constant connectivity hurdles severely cripple productivity and contradict the government's own "ease of doing business" initiatives designed to attract investment. The nine signatory bodies are:
- Goa Technology Association
- Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Travel and Tourism Association of Goa
- Goa State Industries Association
- CREDAI
- ASSOCHAM
- BNI-Goa
- Laghu Udyog Bharati
- Goa IT Business Association
A Step Towards Digital Reliability
This intervention by the Chief Minister's office marks a critical shift in addressing a long-standing infrastructural and bureaucratic problem. By mandating high-level oversight and fast-tracking the underground cabling solution, the government aims to provide the reliable digital connectivity that is essential for both business operations and daily life in Goa.
