Srinagar, Nov 2: In a stark departure from promises of seamless electricity supply, Kashmir is grappling with extensive power cuts that are stretching from 5 to 10 hours across the region, exposing the fragile state of its power infrastructure.
Senior physician Dr Masood Hassan mockingly remarked, “In this modern age, we are witnessing power cuts that seem like a forgotten narrative from a decade ago.” His comments underscore the frustration of residents facing prolonged electricity disruptions.
The shortfall is particularly acute in rural areas, where power cuts are not just frequent but often prolonged.
A top KPDCL official told Kashmir News Observer that “on average, at least 50 Distribution Transformers (DTs) are getting damaged every day.” The primary culprits are overloading and the widespread use of crude heating gadgets.
“Most of the DTs are getting damaged in rural areas where most consumers are unmetered,” the official added. Each damaged transformer represents a significant financial burden, with replacement costs ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh.
In November alone, the corporation reported 1,043 DTs were damaged, with 1,035 simultaneously restored. Chief Engineer Aaquib Waheed Deva offered a solution: “Snapping of power within 15 or 20 minutes is primarily due to simultaneously powering on all heating gadgets.”
Deva further advised consumers to “adjust their heating load at the time of resumption of power supply after curtailment hours” and assured that “if the heating load is judiciously synchronized within the sanctioned load, unscheduled power outages will disappear.”
Despite maintaining a buffer stock of 1,554 DTs through reclamation in various divisional and central workshops, the power corporation continues to battle infrastructure challenges that are leaving residents in the cold.
The stark reality of Kashmir’s power situation remains: smart meters and promises of uninterrupted supply have given way to the harsh truth of persistent electricity cuts, leaving residents frustrated and searching for warmth.
