Despite the installation of smart meters that officials said will end the power woes in Kashmir, in a fresh turn of developments, Jammu Kashmir has recorded a 25 per cent sudden cut in the power supply from outside. The move that has triggered a “temporary power deficit.”
Officials’ privy to the development told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the J&K’s power supply has been cut by 25 per cent without “any clear reasons.”
Kashmir region, as per official sources will face the brunt of the power shortage given the soaring temperatures in Jammu, where the power department is resorting to minimum possible cuts.
Sources while divulging the details said that presently, there is a deficit of nearly 25 per cent electricity supply from the centre. “This has triggered a temporary power crisis in J&K,” they said, adding that there was no clarity as to what led to the power availability issue, but it seems that such a situation would continue for some time.
“The deficit of 20-25 % electricity has forced the KPDCL as well as the JPDCL to go for the power cuts,” sources said, adding that power cuts are less in Jammu compared to Kashmir. “Kashmir can bear given the low temperatures. In Jammu, there is a heat wave, so cuts are less there,” an official source, disclosed.
Pertinently, the consumers from different areas of Kashmir here have complained of power cuts again, stating that the erratic power supply has once again led to their sufferings here.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a local from Chattabal area of Srinagar, said that the KPDCL has once again resorted to the power cuts from last Saturday.
“The department had changed the winter power curtailment schedule, but the power cuts have once again led to the hardships to the people,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that massive protests had been staged in Kashmir valley against the installation of smart meters which were recently introduced in the valley, however, officials did not stop the installation.
Many among the admin said that smart meters will ensure that power theft is stopped and more electricity is provided to Kashmiris in all months.
PDD officials had remarked, “the government was considering providing an uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers, and as part of this effort, full deployment of smart meters are being installed across the Kashmir Valley.”
The KPDCL officials, however, said they were not aware as to how long the crisis would continue. An official said that things would be clear in a week’s time as to what led to the sudden cut in the power supply to J-K. (With inputs from KNO)