In freezing cold, Kashmir looks for Bijli

Even though there has been 128 % increase in the PDD revenue from the consumers, the valley continues to face erratic power supply. And with the onset of winter, the situation has gone from bad to worse.

The irregular and faulty electric supply has made students, commoners, traders, industrialists angry who are blaming government for ignoring the masses. “This is very unfortunate. We have to live in dark. If a tourist comes here, he would love to enjoy, he would not like darkness. Our business suffers; we are not been able to provide better facilities,” Siraj Ahmed, president Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association said.

Taking at dig at claims of government that it is not possible to provide 24-hours of supply in winters, he said, “In 2003, there was uninterrupted power supply during winter, if they managed then, why cannot they now. They are deliberately doing it. We had a meeting with tourism minister about the issue, but he felt helpless. We should have been a power exporting state, but unfortunately we are importing power. Ironically we have the capacity of producing 25,000 megawatts of energy, but we have to import 300 megawatts.”

The erratic power supply particularly in evening has resulted in 30 to 40 per cent loss in business in Srinagar particularly business nerve centre, Lal Chowk.

“We always pay fees, they metered our areas, we never opposed their fee structure. They had promised of uninterrupted power supply but they failed to keep their promise. We are deliberately targeted, and we have to shut our shop 2 hours before. We are not able to run credit card machines. It affects our business. There is loss of 30 to 40 percent in sales,” said Mohamad, Yaseen Khan, President, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers association.

The bad power supply has also aggrieved students as examination of various classes is going on. “Without any reason they cut down power supply. Though as per schedule there should have been no power cut. Yesterday I scored badly in paper as I could not study as there was no power supply,” said Irshad Ahmed who lives in metered area of Chanapora locality.

The government has even failed to provide regular power supply in Shia area during Muharam. “Our areas are reeling under darkness even during Muharam. So it becomes very difficult to go for night prayers,” said Agha Saadat Hussaian Mosivi of Garand Kallan, Budgam.

Despite repeated attempts, chief engineer, M&E Kashmir, Manzoor Ahmed Salroo could not be reached out for his reaction. Importantly, NHPC which controls the majority of power stations has  failed to hand over control of power generation plants to government which many believe will make state not only self sufficient in power, but will turn it into a major source of revenue.