Though the winter is still knocking at the doors, Kashmir Valley is already shivering with mercury dipping below and below. Add to the miseries are the frequent power cuts which are worst in rural areas. From past few weeks, entire Valley is facing acute power shortage and unscheduled power cuts. In this backdrop, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has finally come up with the much needed explanation regarding power crisis. The authorities informed that some upgradation works are going on in JKPTCL which has decreased the availability of power of the network. The augmentation of conductors on 132 KV Mirbazar-Wanpoh line and on 220 KV Wagoora-Zainakote has led to a deficit of around 130 MWs, which has led to further load shedding. They stressed that the upgradation works are being taken in the larger interest of the public and the power scenario will improve once the upgradation of the electric infrastructure is completed in the next 10-15 days. The authorities have sought the cooperation of the consumers and appealed them to use the load judiciously as per their agreement and avoid using crude boilers and other unauthorized electric appliances, which in turn lead to more Distribution Transformer Outages (DTOs) and distress curtailments. Hopefully KPDCL will tackle the situation and as per their claim, the crisis would be over within 15 days. While power shortage during winters is a chronic problem as far as Kashmir is concerned, the present dispensation claims to have taken several major steps to stabilize the power supply. The winters are a test for the administration. Secondly, the concerned authorities need to be more communicative. Consumers are paying for the energy they use and therefore while on one hand the authorities should ensure that they get uninterrupted power supply, on the other hand, if it is confronted with some issues like the present upgradation works, it should take the consumers into confidence and explain to them the reasons behind curtailment. And also, once the load shedding schedule is announced, the authorities should make it sure that the same is followed in letter and spirit.
The other chronic problem that adds to the power woes is the misuse of energy. A large-scale power theft and misuse by the consumers, including government departments and security forces worsens the situation further. While as the government has to have a long term strategy to overcome the crisis and make sure that both the regions – Jammu and Kashmir – get sufficient power supply, particularly Jammu in Summers and Kashmir in Winters, the consumers too have to shoulder the responsibility. The consumers have to use the energy judiciously and people have to say no to power thefts. People have to ensure that they pay for all the units of the energy they use thus minimizing the losses that are being faced by the UT. Government, on its part should focus on infrastructure development and take steps to minimize the transmission, distribution, and commercial losses (T, D & C). Experts say that J&K records 65–70 percent transmission, distribution, and commercial losses which is many times higher than rest of the country. The national average in India is 20% and J&K’s is more than three times that figure. These high losses leave the government with little money to buy energy from the market to meet the increasing demand resulting in severe energy crises during the winter season.
