*Integrated planning never received required attention
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 9: The sub-transmission and distribution network of the Power Development Department has reached the saturation point during the prevailing scorching heat in the absence of augmentation work during the past quite long time. The situation has assumed such an alarming proportion that even if the Government purchases additional power it would not be able to supply electricity to the people in view of its weak system. Astonishingly, the Ministers from Jammu district have maintained ‘criminal silence’ despite being aware of the prevailing situation and difficulties faced by the people.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in the absence of sufficient augmentation works Janipur, Canal and Miran Sahib Grid Stations have become over-loaded during the prevailing scorching heat while as power evacuation from the Pouni Chak Grid Station was not up to the mark due to inadequate transmission lines network.
“Whatsoever excuses being given by the Power Development Department are lame as the fact is that the sub-transmission and distribution network in major parts of Jammu district has become very week due to failure of the department to carry out timely and adequate augmentation of system during the past several years”, they said.
Though paper work was carried out a number of times yet the strengthening of the system remained confined to the official files due to lack of integrated approach among the top brass of the department, sources said, adding “inadequate transmission lines network at the Pouni Chak Grid Station is the testimony of the fact that ensuring coordination among various wings never received required focus of those at the helm of affairs”.
In response to a question, sources said, “the present sub-transmission and distribution network in major parts of Jammu district is not capable of providing more electricity supply to the people even if the Government comes forward to purchase additional power from the Northern Grid”.
Disclosing that even last year additional power purchased during scorching heat could not be supplied to the people due to weak system, sources said, “it is a matter of serious concern as to how the department allowed the situation to assume such an alarming situation and did not upgrade the system during the past one year”.
“Every year there is 10% growth in the electricity demand but the upgradation and augmentation of system is not being ensured to meet this demand”, sources regretted, adding “the failure of the PDD to utilize Rs 550 crore financial assistance provided under the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) clearly indicates that those at the helm of affairs are least bothered about augmentation of the system”.
Meanwhile, the scheduled/unscheduled power curtailments in Jammu have crossed all the barriers with the department switching off the electricity for more than eight hours in the metered areas and more than 10 hours in the non-metered areas.
This has resulted into resentment particularly among those consumers whose connections have been metered. “Instead of putting its house in order the Power Development Department is only giving lame excuses for the prevailing crisis”, some people told EXCELSIOR while criticizing the Department, adding “the department has made the life of children and aged person virtually hell”.
“It is really astonishing that there are three Ministers from Jammu district in the Cabinet but none of them has come forward till date to vociferously highlight the crisis before the Government”, they said, adding “they must keep in mind that people, who are forced to bear scorching heat without adequate electricity supply, have voted them to power. They must wake from the deep slumber and play role in getting the corrective measures initiated without wastage of any further time”.
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