Srinagar, Nov 23 (KNO): Even after the Power Development Department (PDD) issued ‘the lowest curtailment schedule in a decade’, the additional power cuts have irked the consumers across the Valley, thus leaving the people to lurch at large. However, the department has blamed people for such a mess, saying that ‘excessive misuse of electricity’ was the reason behind additional power cuts.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), consumers from different parts of the Valley said that the PDD doesn’t adhere to the power schedule and provide erratic power supply to them.
They said that unscheduled power cuts have irked them the most, adding that the claims of providing adequate power supply this winter has fallen flat on the ground.
The consumers said that they were expecting adequate electricity this winter as the Alesteng grid station and other receiving stations were commissioned by the government, but unfortunately, there was no end to the power paucity in the Valley this year as well. “ In September, there were tall claims from the PDD
The locals appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration and the concerned department to ensure adequate electricity supply to them.
Meanwhile, PDD Chief Engineer, Aijaz Ahmad Dar told KNO the department has been providing 1450 MWs of electricity as against the requirement of only 1100 MWs.
However, he said that the excessive misuse of electricity was compelling the department to go ahead with the additional power cuts. “In case the electricity will be used judiciously, the department will be able to provide electricity as per the schedule,” Dar said.
Giving further details, Chief Engineer told KNO that the department has conducted at least 15000 inspections across the Valley and nearly 7000 heaters have been destroyed so far.
“We are trying to provide more electricity, but the people don’t cooperate in this regard,” he said, adding that the people would get adequate electricity in case they use it judiciously.
“The department is providing extra electricity against the requirement,” he said—(KNO)