Darkness Disappoints, Dejects

Baramulla, Dec 1: The Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has plunged into an unexpected darkness, with a deep electricity crisis gripping the region.

The non-availability of electricity facilities has left the residents of Uri villages disappointed and dejected as there is no respite from the prolonged breakdown in the electricity supply.

“It's the fourth day, and we still have not received electricity. The administration has let us down,” said Muhammad Rafiq, a resident of Uri.

Aghast at the non-availability of electricity supply, the residents opposed the claims of providing uninterrupted electricity to metered areas while following a proper curtailment schedule in non-metered areas.

“The actual situation on the ground is far from the government claims. We are disappointed," Rafiq said.

Uri, known for hosting three power projects - Uri I, Uri II, and the LGHP power project - generating a total of 760 MW, seems to be grappling with the non-availability of electricity.

Despite these projects, the residents complain of ongoing power shortages, characterising the electricity system in Uri as chaotic.

“The electricity system in Uri is chaotic because we don't receive power according to the expected schedule," Muhammad Rafiq said.

Consumers in the region expressed dismay over a substantial increase in electricity bills, with the irony being that they only receive electricity for one or two hours despite hefty payments.

“Despite having three power projects in Uri, we are still facing power shortages, which is disheartening,” he said.

Locals said that the Power Development Department (PDD) sends bills ranging from Rs 900 to residential houses and Rs 1400 to commercial establishments, yet the promised electricity supply is rarely provided.

"Uri is supposed to be a hub for electricity, but we are disheartened because electricity is rarely available here. The curtailment schedule is not being followed," the locals said.

Sandeep Kumar of the Lagama area of Uri expressed concern about the severe power cuts and highlighted the alleged failure of the NHPC to compensate for the land taken from them.

"The unfortunate part is that we never receive electricity as per the curtailment schedule," Kumar said.

Another consumer displayed his electricity bill, stating that despite paying Rs 3000 for three months, electricity was only received for one or two hours a day during this period.

“The government is not paying attention to our problem, and there is no adherence to any schedule," complained Nazir Ahmad, another resident.

Fumed at the government's indifferent attitude, the locals said that the PDD should take back their poles and electric wires and cease sending bills if the government cannot provide electricity as per the proper schedule.

"Even when we receive electricity for an hour, there are still cuts. We do not receive electricity even at the time of morning and evening prayers. Nobody visits our area. The department should dismantle the infrastructure and cease sending bills to us," urged a local from the Kandi area of Uri.

As per the locals, power woes have increased in the area and the Uri residents are eagerly waiting for a resolution to their power predicament.

"We hope that somebody from the government sector will visit here and see the actual situation on the ground," they said.

Executive Engineer PDD Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that there was a fault in the electric infrastructure in the Lagama area which had been resolved.

"Earlier there was some fault which created interruptions in the electricity supply, but the issue is now resolved," he said.

About the public complaints about the non-availability of electricity in the Uri area, he said that the department provides electricity as per the schedule.

"People can claim and complain about anything but we receive daily updates from our officers about the supply given to every area. But I will still get it examined and see if the schedule is not properly followed in the Uri area," he said.