Electricity curtailment schedule in IIOJK denounced
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader, Nasir Aslam Wani, has said that the increase in power curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours has highlighted the agony levels of consumers across the Kashmir valley.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Nasir Aslam Wani in a statement issued in Srinagar said outages have reached new extremes over the past few months. He said, “The move will increase the ongoing winter torments of people. Why did the authorities let the alarm about dip in water discharge in dams go unheard and didn’t prepare a proposal to purchase from the Northern Grid? They are fully responsible for the genesis of the crisis, it didn’t happen overnight.”
He also said that there was a prolonged dry spell for all of us to observe which this administration has failed to acknowledge. “It is astonishing that despite assurances from authorities, the situation has not only failed to improve but has taken a turn for the worse, casting the region into prolonged darkness,” he added.
Nasir Aslam Wani said, “Unscheduled power cuts and prolonged outages in the Kashmir valley have reached an alarming level, causing widespread disruptions. The lack of consistent electricity supply has led to significant losses in multiple sectors, impacting businesses, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life.”
Meanwhile, residents across the valley are grappling with severe unscheduled power outages for the last few days, casting a dark shadow over their lives.
Complaints have surged as the electricity scenario has deteriorated over the past few days. Majority of the metered areas receive only 14 hours of electricity, falling short of the promised 20 hours in 24 hours. Non-metered areas face an even worse situation, with residents alleging an erratic power supply, leaving electric bulbs aglow for only for a few hours.
A resident from Srinagar expressed his frustration over increased power cuts, especially during evening when it is needed most. “We witness 2-3 hours of night cuts, 2 hours additional cuts during the day and 1-2 hours additional cuts during the evenings for the last few days despite having smart meters installed in our area,” he lamented.
Valley residents are no strangers to the persistent power crisis, yet this winter has brought unprecedented challenges. The exacerbation of the situation stems from a critical shortage of water for hydroelectricity generation, a consequence of the prolonged dry winter spell.
Residents from the southern and northern parts of the valley in rural areas are particularly facing the brunt of the intensified power cuts. With the harshest winter period, locally referred to as Chillai Kalan, underway and temperatures remaining several notches below the freezing point, the intensified curtailment has made lives hard for people, especially in rural areas, as they have to spend cold nights in the dark and without warmth.
