Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Dec 30: The people across Kashmir are facing worst power crises as Power Development Department (PDD) has resorted to unscheduled power cuts in both metered and non-metered areas.
The protests against PDD are held by consumers across Valley in both rural and urban areas, with angry consumers targeting the department for failing to ensure regular supply of electricity during the prevailing intense cold wave.
From the last two weeks, people have been taking to the streets to protest against non-availability of electricity in various localities in the Valley. People allege that the power crisis has gone from bad to worse after elections and no proper schedule is being followed by PDD.
“Power Development Department (PDD) has resorted to long and unscheduled power cuts in our area which is hitting our daily life. Students are worst hit in such a scenario as they are mostly dependent on electricity for using their power-backed gadgets like computers, Tabs, and surfing internet,” said Iqbal Ahmad of Hard Shiva in Sopore.
Though consumers expect enhanced supply of electricity in winter month, yet the PDD is not coming up to their expectations and demands. “Power supply in winter should be uninterrupted in Kashmir, particularly in freezing winter season. But we see the other face of PDD. Heating gadgets and other tools for cooking and boiling water are useless,” said Showkat Ahmad of Aharbal in Shopian district.
People belonging to various parts of Srinagar city including Mahjoor Nagar, Barbarshah, Safakadal, Habakadal , Elahibagh, Rangpora and Malbagh allege that despite paying tariff on time, they have to face sever power outages.
“Power outages are witnessed everyday in our locality. And when we receive power, there is no voltage,” said Suhail Nazir of Mahjoor Nagar.
Chief Engineer PDD, Bashir Ahmad Khan told Excelsior that until consumers stop power thefts, the load-shedding cannot be stopped.
Khan said that registered demand in the Valley is 600 MW “but we are already supplying 1150 MW to the consumers, knowing that people resort to power thefts.”
“Consumers are using crude gadgets which we have not seen and don’t know their voltage capacity. Despite, appeals people resort to misuse of power. It is not possible to curb the power theft unless people cooperate with us,” he said.
He said that the department could provide 24-hour power supply, in metered and non-metered areas as well, to the people across the Valley if they don’t resort to power thefts.
But, consumers disagree with Khan’s allegation of power theft. Adnan Fazili of Bandipora said: “Our area does not resort to power theft. And despite using two transformers we cannot increase the voltage output because the input is so low,” adding that the authorities always blame people for their failure.
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