Srinagar: As the electric power supply in Kashmir becomes more chaotic with every passing day, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Wednesday said the power scenario is expected to improve within a week. However, the consumers are taking the statement with a pinch of salt.
Talking to reporters, Bidhuri said that it is a fact that the power schedule announced earlier is not being adhered to as the demand has abruptly gone high due to the early onset of winter in Kashmir.
“We are expecting an improvement in the power scenario as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief Secretary have constituted a committee over the issue of power purchase and a decision in this regard is expected soon,” he said. He added that the government is aware of the sufferings of people as the unscheduled power cuts are more painful, but the administration is focused on improving the electricity scenario and it is expected to improve within a week only.
However, the consumers seem a little convinced.
“Ki Khushi Se Mar Na Jate, Agar Aitbar Hota (would die of happiness, if it was believable),” says a college lecturer from Srinagar, hailing from the Lal Bazar area, who wished anonymity.
Kashmir Valley is facing the worst power crisis ahead of harsh winter.
Sometime back, the concerned authorities issued a load-shedding schedule for both metered as well as non-metered areas. However, reports pouring in from the length and breadth of the Valley suggest that the scenario on the ground is contrary to official claims.
The authorities had claimed that in metered areas, there would be only a four-hour power cut. But the schedule was never followed as the cut exceeded even 12 hours in certain metered areas.
The situation in metered areas in rural Kashmir is too pathetic as the consumers don’t get supply even for 12 hours, say the consumers.
Earlier, while chairing a meeting, Principal Secretary, the Power Development Department (PDD), H. Rajesh Prasad reviewed the power supply position in J&K, particularly in Kashmir valley amid decreasing temperatures, during a meeting held with the Managing Directors of Corporations and all Chief Engineers and senior officers of the department.
During the review, it was informed that a curtailment schedule has been prepared based on the power availability in the region.
Accordingly, the Principal Secretary asked the engineers to strictly follow the schedule, emphasizing that no unscheduled power cuts shall be tolerated. He also stressed that under no circumstances should J&K engage in overdraw of power, which is important not only to stay within the budget but also to uphold grid discipline and prevent unwarranted disruptions in power supply.
However, following the meeting, people expected some improvement in the power scenario, but there was none.
Despite official claims, the consumers are suffering as there is no explanation from the concerned authorities regarding unscheduled power cuts.
