Goa's Last Village To Get Power! | Keri, Cotigao Village Panchayat (Canacona, South Goa)

Keri, a remote tribal hamlet nestled within Goa's Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, has been connected to the power grid for the first time in 2025. This development, involving a 3.5-kilometer underground low-tension line and a transformer installation, marks a significant milestone for the village's 90-odd residents.

The project navigated dense forest terrain and required coordination among various government departments, including the forest authorities. It was owing to the initiatives of Canacona MLA and Speaker Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar and Cotigao Village Panchayat that the long-drawn formal process finally met with success.

Despite Goa's reputation for high literacy rates and robust infrastructure, Keri remained without electricity for decades. Residents, primarily from the Kunbi tribal community, have long relied on kerosene lamps and solar panels that often failed during monsoons. The lack of basic amenities, including roads, schools, and healthcare, has led to isolation and hardship, prompting some villagers to consider relocation.

While the electrification is a cause for celebration, it also highlights systemic neglect of marginalised communities in environmentally sensitive areas. The delay underscores the need for inclusive development that prioritises the needs of all citizens, regardless of geographic or ecological challenges.

As Keri steps into a new era with electricity, the focus now shifts to ensuring that this progress extends to other essential services, fostering a more equitable future for its residents.

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Produced By Gajanan Khergamker
Segment Producer Manu Shrivastava

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