People hit streets in Srinagar to protest ‘worst-ever’ power crisis
Load served in April around 900 to 1,100 MW against the demand of 1,600 MW, says Kashmir power discom
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is currently reeling under what is claimed to be ‘worstever’ power crisis, which forced residents to take to streets on Wednesday.
Locals and mainstream politicians blame the J&K government for not doing enough to resolve the power crisis. In many towns and villages, people claim they don’t get electricity for three to four hours in 24 hours.
“This is first time we are witnessing such a scenario in Kashmir,” said Tariq Mughloo, vice-president, Kashmir Economic Alliance. “They (government) say that the situation is due to shortage of coal and less supply. Why don’t they operate gas turbines. The power cuts have impacted the businessmen and industrial unit holders. This crisis has now entered in its third week.”
“Even during winters, when the power demand is high, people never faced such a situation,” said Rizwan Ahmad, a local. “Earlier, we used to convey our problems to mainstream politicians and they would take complaints seriously. Now, bureaucrats are at the helm of affairs who aren’t bothered about the problems of locals,” he added.
At several places, power crisis has even affected the potable water supply.
“Our district generates more than 1,000 MW of power, but we still face power cuts,” said Yasir Ahmad, a resident of Uri, where three hydel power houses are located and two projects are under NHPC.
The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) in a statement said that load served during April has been around 900 to 1,100 MW against the demand of 1,600 MW, thereby creating a deficit.
A senior official of KPDCL said that hydro generation is expected to improve once discharge increases to optimal level in coming weeks subject to sufficient rainfall.