Unscheduled Power Cuts Irk Kashmiris This Ramazan

“The situation is not the worst in Kashmir only, but it is at present in Jammu, Haryana, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh as well.”

SRINAGAR — Amid the ongoing holy month of Ramazan, the people from different parts of Kashmir here have complained of unscheduled power cuts, especially during Sehri and Iftaar times, which according to them left them to lurch at large.

According to the locals from Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir, the Power Development Department (PDD) has failed to bring respite from the unscheduled power cuts as the people are being pushed to the wall, especially at the peak times (Sehri and Iftaar).

Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, PK Pole had directed the concerned Chief Engineer to ensure adequate electricity in the holy month of Ramazan.

However, the locals rue the absence of a facility, saying that it is the first Ramazan when the people are being forced to reel under darkness at Sehri and Iftaar times.

The locals from Prang, Kangan, Akhal, Chattergul, Kachnabal, Najwan, Wayil, Prang, Barwalla Nunner and Main Town Ganderbal said they are getting electricity for merely 5 to 6 hours in a day, thus leaving the consumers here to lurch at large, adding that the concerned department, however, is acting as mute spectator.

Besides, Srinagar areas, the famous tourist places including Sonamarg and others also witness the unscheduled power cuts at present.

Meanwhile, the consumers demanded the government to look into the matter and ensure that the adequate electricity is supplied to them especially during Sehri and Iftaar times.

Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Chief Engineer, Javaid Yousuf Dar said that the demands and supply issues at present has led to the unscheduled power cuts.

He added that the temperature has increased much earlier this year and subsequently the demand of electricity has increased outside as well and at the same time the availability as well as the generation is less.

Besides, he said that the coal import due to the Russia-Ukraine war has also affected the thermo stations outside. “The situation is not the worst in Kashmir only, but it is at present in Jammu, Haryana, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh as well,” he said.

He added that the unscheduled power cuts would continue in the next some days.

Meanwhile National Conference (NC) on Tuesday expressed dismay over the frequent power cuts across Kashmir especially during Sehri and Iftar time.

Provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani in a statement said that consumers across Kashmir are facing unscheduled, regular power cuts during the holy month of Ramazan, particularly at Sehri and Iftar time making it difficult and unmanageable to scores of people.

“It is appalling that instead of ensuring regular power supply during this holy month, PDD is resorting to forced power cuts. Unscheduled power cuts had grown severe, giving a tough time to the people, especially during Sehri and Iftar. Every day people wake up at Sehri to find themselves in complete darkness. Electric supply is playing hide and seek with people,” he said.

“Despite being promised high and tall, the local consumers are being pushed to the wall by forcing them to reel under darkness,” he said.