Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 12: Kashmir valley is facing worst power crisis of the recent years with over 74 hours power cut in non-metered areas and over 34 hours cut in the metered area in a week at a time when the generation of the power houses has increased with increased discharge in rivers.
This is for the first time that such frequent and unscheduled cuts are witnessed in Kashmir valley during spring.
According to sources in the Power Development Department (PDD) against the demand of 1200 MW of power for Kashmir valley, the PDD is supplying around 700 MWs to the consumers on daily basis. This is being done despite increase in the local generation and the PDD is drawing 520 MWs for Kashmir valley these days from Northern Grid.
The State owned local power projects of Lower Jehlum, Upper Sindh I and II are currently generating 180 MWs of power. The Uri Civil -I having generation capacity of 480 MWs is generating power to its full capacity.
Sources say that PDD is presently importing 520 MWs of power against 850 MWs, they were importing from Northern Grid during winter for Kashmir valley. The demand of power in Kashmir has dropped by 200 MWs as compared to winter when the consumers use heating gadgets to keep their homes and offices warm.
Sources said that the Jammu and Kashmir was drawing power to the tune of Rs 3650 crore yearly while it has to draw power for only Rs 3000 crore. In order to overcome the problem, the PDD has restored to massive power cuts in Kashmir valley.
Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool told Excelsior that there was deficiency of 175 MWs of power in Kashmir valley. He said that power situation in Kashmir has improved for last few days. He said that it was due to low power generation in other States and said that by May 25, the power situation will normalise in Kashmir valley.
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