In a powerful show of unity, nine of Goa's most prominent industry associations have issued a sharp rebuke to the state government over repeated and crippling internet disruptions. The business groups blame the electricity department's ongoing cable-cutting drives for severely hampering productivity and creating a direct conflict with the national 'Digital India' vision.
A Joint Stand Against Connectivity Chaos
The collective frustration boiled over into a formal joint letter addressed directly to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The letter expresses deep disappointment with the "deteriorating" situation, highlighting that past promises from the state to find a permanent fix have gone unfulfilled. The industry bodies argue there is a stark contradiction between the government's promotion of "ease of doing business" to attract investors and the ground reality of constant connectivity hurdles.
The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday in Margao, where the electricity department's actions severed fibre optic cables. This damage impacted the main feed lines of internet service providers like Allegra and Big Ventures, causing outages across key areas including Borda, Fatorda, Gogol, Margao town, and Aquem.
Businesses Held Hostage, Digital Vision Loses Momentum
The joint statement from the industry groups minced no words. "The recurring instances of cable cutting and disruptions to internet services have once again become a major challenge," it stated. It further warned that the momentum of the Prime Minister's vision to empower citizens and businesses with stable broadband "seems to be losing momentum in Goa."
The associations pinpointed a fundamental failure in infrastructure planning and coordination. They emphasized that in today's digital economy, businesses cannot afford to be held hostage by an unreliable internet connection, which is as essential as electricity or water.
Demands for a Lasting Solution
To resolve the ongoing crisis, the united industry front has put forward a clear demand. They have urged the state to direct and support internet service providers (ISPs) to deploy critical cables underground, particularly in and around main towns. This, they believe, would prevent future damage during routine utility work.
Following the appeal, Chief Minister Sawant has reportedly asked the chief secretary to convene a meeting with officials from the concerned departments to address the issue. The industry is now watching for concrete action.
The powerful coalition that signed the letter includes:
- 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
The broad representation underscores that the problem affects the entire economic ecosystem, from manufacturing and IT to real estate and tourism, putting Goa's business-friendly reputation at risk.
