Kashmir’s power woes intensify, residents left in the dark

Srinagar, Apr 26: The power crisis in Kashmir has taken a severe turn, leaving residents grappling with prolonged and unscheduled power outages that have disrupted daily life. The valley’s already grim power scenario has been exacerbated by a significant deficit between the demand and supply of electricity.
According to officials from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), the demand for electricity in the Valley has outstripped the supply, leading to a substantial power deficit. The officials revealed that the current load requirement for Kashmir stands at a staggering 1400 MW for six hours daily and 1000 MW for the remaining 18 hours, while the availability remains limited.

The power crisis, which has been simmering since November, has now reached alarming proportions, with residents reporting power outages lasting for hours on end. The KPDCL has acknowledged the severity of the situation, taking to social media to address the concerns of the public, urging residents to ensure judicious use of power, especially during peak hours.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) has expressed grave concern and disappointment over the contradictory policies of the KPDCL in ensuring regular power supply to consumers. The apex business chamber stated that the KPDCL had committed to providing uninterrupted and flawless electric supply to consumers while starting the process of installing smart meters in the valley areas. However, the situation on the ground has proven to be contrary to the assurances given by the department, leading to widespread outrage among the business community and the general public.
Authorities in the previous fiscal undertook power reforms in Kashmir, including installing smart meters and insulated power cables to prevent electricity pilferage and reduce AT&C losses. However, the department has resorted to unscheduled power cuts, with metered areas being the worst affected.
Consumers in central Kashmir’s Budgam district and Srinagar areas have narrated the same ordeal, with many reporting power outages lasting for over 12 hours. One consumer, Nisar Ahmad a srinagar resident, expressed frustration over the fake promises made by the Power Development Department, stating, “On Thursday evening, electricity was snapped after two hours of scheduled curtailment at 10 PM and was restored at around 3 AM, reflecting the fake promises made by the Power Development Department.”
When contacted, KPDCL Chief Engineer (Distribution), Sandeep Seth, attributed the low power availability as the sole reason for the long durational power curtailments. He stated, “We are getting nearly a total power of 1200 Megawatts (MWs) against the requirement of 1600 MWs. This will be settled in a weeks’ time.”
As the power crisis deepens, the residents of Kashmir continue to face hardships, with the authorities struggling to bridge the gap between demand and supply, leaving many in the valley shrouded in darkness.