Demand put-forth by DDCs in Nov 20 meet chaired by Div Com
Owais Gul
Srinagar: Amid ongoing power crisis in Kashmir, deputy commissioners of several districts have sought additional allocation of power to cater to the demand in their respective districts in the Valley.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a record note of an official meeting reveals that DCs of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Kupwara districts requisitioned additional allocation of 246 megawatt to tide over the power crisis in their districts. The demand was made by DCs during a high-level meeting chaired by divisional commissioner Baseer Ahmad Khan on November 20 here to discuss several issues.
According to the note, south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is facing dearth of 45 MW as it is supplied 85 MW against the demand of 130 MW. Similarly, Kulgam district requires additional allocation of 81 MW as it is getting 44 MW against demand of 125 MW. The neighbouring district of Shopian is facing shortage of 75 MW. It is getting just 30 Megawatt against the demand of 105 MW.
In North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the power allocation is 65 MW against the demand of 110 MW, leaving a gap of 45 MW.With the onset of winter, Kashmir Valley is reeling under severe powers crisis as Power Development Department is resorting to unscheduled cuts in both metered and non-metered. The power crisis has also taken a toll on students who are preparing for Board and University examinations in the Valley.
As per the minutes of the meeting available with the KNO, DCs also apprised divisional commissioner Kashmir that they have not received buffer quantity of transformers and electric poles from PDD. The note reveals that divisional commissioner Kashmir directed PDD to provide more power supply to districts to mitigate the power crisis. He also directed PDD to provide remaining buffer stock of transformers and poles to the districts. (KNO)
