Top official directs action amid power cuts in Jammu

JAMMU: Divisional commissioner Raghav Langer has directed the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) to work out power curtailment rosters and schedules for every station and area and publicise the same to avoid unscheduled electricity cuts amid anger in the region over erratic supply this week despite rising temperatures.

The mercury soars as high as 45 degrees Celsius in the plains of the Jammu region.

Langer on Thursday said strict cognisance has been taken of the unscheduled power cuts even as hailstorm followed by a brief spell of rain brought the temperature down in Jammu.

He has directed deputy commissioners to constitute sub-division level committees to ensure the curtailments happen according to the notified roster, avoiding unscheduled power cuts. He has said control rooms be set up at sub-divisional levels and asked officials to notify the helpline numbers.

Officials said Langer reviewed the situation and inquired about the hours of power supply, curtailment in rural and urban areas, and available buffer stock of transformers, functioning of workshops, and timelines for replacement of damaged transformers.

More allotment to Valley A load distribution chart, accessed by HT on Thursday at 4.30pm, showed that the Kashmir valley has been allotted 1,050 megawatts compared to 737 megawatts to the Jammu region. During summer, the Valley remains cooler than Jammu.

An engineer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said

Kashmir gets more electricity supplies compared to the Jammu region as successive governments upgraded the power infrastructure in the valley. “Even if we want to strike a balance, we cannot because the power system in the Jammu region has not been upgraded. If we try to strike a balance and increase power supply to the Jammu region, the power distribution system in Jammu will not sustain it...”

The engineer said when it comes to power revenue, Jammu contributes more, around 70 to 80%, compared to Kashmir. “That is why the authorities never share the break-up of revenue from Kashmir and Jammu regions and present clubbed figures of entire Jammu & Kashmir.”

Curtailment schedule issued for Jammu, Samba

Complying with the divisional commissioner’s directions, the