Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 5: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, K.K Sharma today said that Power Development Department (PDD) was undergoing major reforms to address shortcomings in power sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at an inauguration function of an up-gradation of Cheshmashahi Grid Station, the Advisor said many power-related projects are coming up and several other existing projects are being upgraded under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). He said all these measures would end the shortcomings of electricity in Kashmir valley, especially during winter season.
“We have created separate Power Corporations for Jammu and Kashmir divisions, headed by Managing Directors. This will not only decentralize decision making but it will also bring efficiency component to its functioning,” Advisor Sharma said.
The Advisor urged PDD officials to go for re-structuring of the department and its allied wings, besides working in close coordination for gaining greater results into the power distribution.
He sought feedback from the officers over several ongoing developmental projects-stressing that the works under centrally sponsored schemes should be completed sooner. He asked the officers to identify the bottlenecks in the works and complete the projects on priority.
The Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Choudhary, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDCL) Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Chief Engineer, PDD, Hashmat Qazi.
The officials informed the meeting that on an average, the department has been supplying peak load of 1200 MW and in harsh climate the department faced the challenge of supplying increased load, which gradually surges from the onset of autumn and peaks in winter. The meeting was informed that in order to avoid unscheduled cuts due to constrictions of existing infrastructure at 33 KV level and below, up-gradation of critically overloaded 33 KV feeders and Receiving Stations is being carried out under various centrally sponsored schemes like PMRP/ DDUGJY /IPDS.
The Advisor was informed that the augmentation works of 132/33 KV Cheshmashahi Grid Sub-Station from 105 MVA to 140 MVA has been completed under PMDP and the new 50 MVA transformer has been charged and tested on load successfully.
The officials said that the augmentation would improve power availability in major areas of Srinagar city including, Lal Chowk, Governor House, Dalgate, Sonwar, TRC, Rajbagh, BB Cant, Centaur, Nishat, Shalimar and other adjoining areas, after successful testing and Commissioning of 220 KV D/C Zainakote-Alustang Transmission Line ending this month.
Divulging details about several other projects, the officials informed the Advisor that major works are being executed by JKPTCL, Kashmir, under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
The Advisor directed the officials to launch a drive to collect revenue from the consumers and simultaneously launch an awareness campaign to educate them about the power pilferage and rights and duties of the consumers. He also directed the PDD officials to publicize power curtailment schedule regularly in print and electronic media.
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