Alternate power transmission line

The land sinking in some areas of Ramban district caused massive devastation there. Following the incident, all the three power transmission lines passing through the Peer Top (Jawahar Tunnel) route were taken out of service due to tower collapses, as a precautionary measure on Saturday morning.

This could have led to complete disruption of power supply to Kashmir from northern grid and a subsequent total power blackout in the Valley.

However, an alternate transmission line via the Mughal Road ensured that power supply continues to Kashmir, hence no blackout. Greater Kashmir, through its sustained focus on the issue, underlined the importance of getting the alternative transmission line installed. Prior to the alternate transmission line all power supply lines to Kashmir passed through the Pir Panjal range.

This had made Kashmir vulnerable to extended outages in case of natural calamities. In January 2012 a heavy snowfall completely halted the power supply through the three transmission lines via Pir Panjal range. There was no electricity for days.

A dire need was felt for an alternate transmission line through Mughal Road. Taking note of the news stories and the public’s need, the government approved the construction of a new transmission line via the Mughal Road. The transmission line was completed and commissioned in 2018. On Saturday morning it again proved how important is this alternate transmission line through Mughal Road.

When the power supply got snapped through the transmission lines via Pir Panjal range due to Ramban land sinking, the alternate transmission line through Mughal Road played the much needed role. As a responsible newspaper Greater Kashmir is duty bound to raise public interest issues and bring those into the notice of the concerned authorities for a solution.

In 2012 we launched the campaign for an alternate power transmission line through Mughal Road. It had a positive impact and today the transmission line and power supply through it is a reality. Other such campaigns too have evoked positive response from the authorities from time to time.

This has been helpful in providing the people much needed respite. We try our level best to raise these issues so that the problems faced by people at large are solved.