PDD to carry out raids including in posh colonies to tackle power theft
Srinagar, Oct 12: In response to the escalating power demands in the valley, the Kashmir Power Distribution Company (KPDCL) is taking proactive measures to ensure a stable and reliable power supply for Kashmir residents in the winter months.
An official said that KPDCL will augment its electricity resources by acquiring additional power sources, as the demand for electricity continues to surge.
“We are currently engaged in negotiations to secure extra electricity to fulfill the rising power demand. A favourable response is expected by Saturday in this matter,” the official said.
Notably, winter in Kashmir mostly poses significant challenges when it comes to electricity supply.
Kashmir experiences frequent power outages during the winter, primarily due to the heavy snowfall and extreme cold. Snow accumulation on power lines and utility infrastructure leads to disruptions in the electrical supply.
The demand for electricity in homes and businesses increases during the winter season. This is primarily because of the need for electric heating appliances, such as heaters, electric blankets, and room heaters, to combat the harsh cold.
At the same time, the power distribution infrastructure in Kashmir is susceptible to disruptions due to its geographic location and the severe winter weather conditions. The heavy snowfall leads to the breakdown of power lines, transformers, and substations.
Over the years this surge in demand has prompted the Power department to strategize and invest in additional power resources to meet the energy needs of the region effectively.
The move to acquire extra electricity supply underscores KPDCL’s commitment to addressing the power shortages and voltage fluctuations that have plagued the region during the winter months.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to ensure adequate and reliable power supply during winter. He has directed for enhancement of sustainability and efficiency to ensure an adequate and reliable power supply during the winter season.
Sinha has asked the officials for concrete measures to ensure maximum power supply to smart meter-saturated feeders and bring down the AT&C losses in these areas to single digits.
However, the LG has directed the officials that the power theft should be tackled through effective enforcement on the ground.
Electricity theft is a significant issue in Kashmir, which contributes to financial losses for power distribution companies.
The PDD officials said the department had taken several measures to stop the misuse of electricity in the Valley in the winter months
“We have formed various teams who are conducting inspections to stop power pilferage. The cases of power theft increase during the winter months, which leads to severe overloading of the distribution system at places, resulting in power cuts,” they said.
The officials said that over the next few weeks, raids will be carried out in posh colonies in the city including other areas of the valley. “We have seen in the past that power thefts were unearthed even in the posh colonies of Srinagar,” they said.
Appealing to people to use electricity judiciously in morning and evening hours, the officials said that if the people cooperated with the department, the power curtailment is expected to be less in the winter months.
“The main two issues we face in the peak of winter are the use of crude gadgets especially heating gadgets and the second service line, which is totally wrong. We want consumers to be cooperative so that we can give our best service,” they said.
There have been severe power cuts for the last few weeks and the phenomenon grows with each passing day.
“If people use electricity judiciously and pay as per the consumption then there won’t be power cuts,” the power department has maintained.
People have complained that the power department has started massive power cuts in the valley.
Complaints are pouring in from metered areas where there are abrupt power cuts. “We have witnessed frequent power cuts for the last one week. We are bound to get 24-hour electricity supply as per the rules but the power department often resorts to power cuts,” Zahoor Ahmad, a resident of Bemina said.
Many people believe that power cuts in the metered areas are against the norms, as the department is bound to provide them with a round-the-clock power supply.
“We are witnessing frequent power cuts despite our locality being fully metered. It is very tough to survive without electricity in this bone-chilling weather,” Shakeel Ahmad Rather, a resident of Qamarwari said.
Officials in the area said that power cuts were enforced by “excessive overloading”. “Due to the excessive overloading, we have to cut power for more hours,” the official said, appealing to people to avoid ‘misuse’ of electricity.
