Despite issuing a schedule of power cuts ahead of winter in Kashmir, residents say unscheduled cuts had increased their difficulties in the cold conditions.
Kashmir is facing 20 one-hour power cuts in metered areas in a week and 40 two-hour cuts in non-metered areas, as per the curtailment schedule of the Power Development Department that was implemented last week.
Chief Engineer, Power Development Department, Kashmir, Shahnaz Goni said the new power curtailment schedule had been put in place and there were no intentional unscheduled cuts.
“Sometimes, there is a fault or a shutdown in an area. Otherwise, we make sure to follow the schedule. We have also set up a control room. If people have complaints, they can always call us,” she said.
The curtailment schedule has been announced in both metered and non-metered areas after the civil secretariat, the highest seat of power, shifted to Jammu for the next six months.
Officials from the department said power demand had increased and they were trying to ensure supply in all areas.
“We can provide 1,200 MWs of power these days but the demand is of 1,600 MWs. So we have started power curtailment,” the official said.
She blamed people for the overload due to power thefts.
“If the consumers make judicious use of electricity, there will be no need for long power curtailment in the coming months,” the official said.
The local residents, however, expressed unhappiness over the curtailment schedule.
“When the meters were installed, we were told that round-the-clock supply will be provided but now there are unscheduled cuts every day. There is more requirement of power in winter months due to the dip in temperature,” said Gulzar Ahmad Khan, a resident of Peerbagh.
As mercury dips, power supply woes rise across Kashmir Valley
