This is the second time we are focusing on vast infrastructural damages in the district of Poonch happened during the intervening night of 18-19 January. A heavy snowfall all over the western Pir Panchal range took the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch into its grip disrupting entire service system, road transport, power supply, telecommunication and water supply. Many areas of Poonch district still remain inaccessible and whatever assessment has been made of the damages is from the towns of Poonch, Surankot, Mendhar and Mandi only. It has come to light that since 2009, the authorities have not made any serious attempt to consolidate power infrastructure instead of its expansion. The result has been that losses have accumulated and now come to the tune of rupees 29 crore. The magnitude of hardships caused to the people is immense but strangely the government has only played it down. According to figures available 70 per cent of the affected area is still inaccessible and 60 per cent of the network still remains dysfunctional. Infrastructural damages till 2009 were to the tune of 21.08 crore. From 2009 to 2012, damages of 2.5 crore rupees were reported but only 33 lakh rupees were provided to make good the losses. Damages to power supply system have been extensive involving 11KV HT Lines, 2355 kms of LT lines, 1288 distribution sub-stations, 16 number 132 KV towers and large network of 33 KV lines. This gives an idea of massive infrastructural damages the district has suffered. Restoration of damaged infrastructure and its consolidation should have been a priority with the Government. This is a fit case for treatment on emergency level and the Government must stop eye-wash treatment and release adequate funds for immediate restoration of power network to the entire district.
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