Govt reluctant to purchase more power
Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 20: Kashmir continues to grapple with an unrelenting power crisis this summer, as a significant gap between demand and supply exacerbates the situation.
The Government’s reluctance to purchase additional power from outside sources has further deepened the crisis, leaving locals to endure prolonged periods of load shedding and inadequate electricity supply. Frustration and resentment among the people are mounting, with many questioning the motives behind this “punishing ordeal”.
Residents, unaccustomed to such power cuts during the summer, are feeling the brunt of the crisis. “These power cuts used to be a common occurrence during winter, but experiencing them during summer takes a huge toll on our daily lives. We are not prepared for this. It feels more like a punishment than any other issue. The question of why they are punishing us remains unanswered,” Mehraj Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar said.
According to officials from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), the region is facing a severe deficit of approximately 250 MWs, with a demand of 1450 MWs and only 1200 MWs being supplied. This deficit has forced the Corporation to resort to unscheduled load shedding, causing distress among the residents. A senior official at the KPDCL, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The situation has worsened due to a 20% shortfall this year, which is likely to persist,” he said.
Highlighting the financial challenges faced by the Government, the official cited insufficient revenue generated through tariffs as a major hurdle in purchasing an adequate power supply. “The Government has limited resources and aims to make the best use of available funds to ensure adequate resources for the people,” explained the official. However, he acknowledged the severity of the power crisis, clarifying that daily power curtailment ranges from 2 to 6 hours for both metered and non-metered areas.
The power crisis has cast a dark shadow over the lives of the people, who voiced their hardships and frustrations caused by the ongoing power shortage. “We are facing tremendous difficulties due to erratic power supply. Our daily routines and livelihoods are affected, and the scorching summer heat makes it unbearable,” Firdous Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar, said.
The locals said that the power cuts are incredibly frustrating as they have impacted their daily lives ranging from disrupting their daily chores and children’s education. “The disturbed power schedule has affected our daily chores. I do not know when to cook food or wash clothes as both are unable to do without electricity. I do not know why is Government punishing us like this, what crime have we committed,” Sara Bano, a resident of Pulwama said.
The unscheduled power cuts have also invoked protests from the political parties as well who accused the Government of not providing basic facilities to the residents. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are currently enduring numerous hardships due to the unavailability of ration, frequent power outages, inadequate water supply to several areas, and various other deficiencies. These issues have significantly impacted the lives of people and caused difficulties and inconveniences for them,” Apni Party leader, Ashraf Mir, said while protesting against the unscheduled curtailment of electricity and other issues.
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