Amid complaints of pesky power cuts at Sehri, Iftaar; KPDCL says supplying record electricity at peak hours

Amid complaints of pesky power cuts during Sehri and Iftaar time from various parts of Kashmir, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Ltd (KPDCL) Monday said that the department was supplying record electricity during the fasting month and the cuts were the result of huge load shedding at peak hours.

Pertinently, the government had promised adequate electricity this Ramadan and issued directions to the department. However, consumers from different parts of the Valley continued to complain of erratic power supply during Sehri and Iftari times.

As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the locals from Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir said that the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has failed to bring respite from the unscheduled power cuts to the people during the holy month of Ramadan.

The people are being pushed to the wall, especially at the peak times, Sehri and Iftaari, they said.

However, the locals rue the absence of the facility, saying that the people are being forced to reel under darkness at Sehri and Iftaar times.

The locals from Prang, Kangan, Akhal, Chattergul, Kachnabal, Najwan, Wayil, Prang, Barwalla Nunner and Main Town Ganderbal said they are getting electricity for merely 5 to 6 hours in a day, thus leaving the consumers here to lurch at large, adding that the concerned department, however, is acting as mute spectator.

Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Ganderbal, said that despite paying hefty electricity bills, the department has failed to ensure adequate electricity to them, adding that the locals are being pushed to the wall by forcing them to reel under darkness.

Besides Srinagar, South Kashmir areas Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Awantipora, Tral, Keller, Zainapora, Harmain, Pampore, Kakapora, Rajpora, Litter, Dooru, Pahalgam, Ashmuqam, Kokernag, Verinag, Bijbehara, Mattan, Seer and north Kashmir areas including Sopore, Baramulla, Lalpora, Tangmarg, Bandipora and many areas of district also witness the unscheduled power cuts at present.

Meanwhile, the consumers demanded the government to look into the matter and ensure that the adequate electricity is supplied to them especially during Sehri and Iftaar times.

Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Chief Engineer, Javaid Yousuf Dar, however, told KNO that the department has supplied the highest ever electricity to the consumers on the first day of Ramadan at 1893 MWs.

“The demand usually remains high during the peak hours and we have been supplying best to our consumers. 1850 MWs are being supplied on a regular basis during the peak hours, but as the demand remains high, the curtailments have to be done,” he said.

He added that less curtailment is being ensured to supply better electricity to people. He, however, said that since people use electricity one time i.e. during Sehri by switching on all appliances, huge load shedding is witnessed in some areas which leads to power cuts. “The situation will improve by Eid,” he said.