Greater Kashmir’s advocacy brings power relief for people

Srinagar, Dec 22: Following a sustained campaign by Greater Kashmir, the power allocation to Kashmir has been increased to 1800 MW.

The latest data from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) indicates that by 6:30 pm on Sunday, the allocation stood at 1825 MW, marking a substantial improvement over the recent weeks’ supply.

This recent increase ensures a more reliable power distribution, strictly adhering to the planned curtailment schedule.

A senior official from KPDCL said, “Sunday’s power allocation was markedly better than in recent weeks, allowing us to manage with only scheduled cuts. There were minimal distress cuts, meaning residents could expect power according to the schedule set forth.”

The overall power allocation for J&K was 3049 MW, with Jammu receiving 1223 MW and Kashmir receiving 1825 MW.

This allocation represents a notable improvement since Friday, when Kashmir was only allocated 1300 MW at the same time, underscoring a direct response to the heightened demand during the winter.

The timing of this increase coincides with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decision to stay in Srinagar, dedicating his attention to overseeing the management of essential services like power and water supply amidst Kashmir’s harsh winter conditions.

Winter in Kashmir sees a dramatic rise in power demand, which typically hovers between 1300 to 1500 MW in summer, but can spike up to 2000 MW due to increased heating needs.

The local hydroelectric generation capacity, which is a primary source of power, decreases by up to 60 percent in winter due to lower water levels in rivers, leading to a greater dependency on external power purchases.

Greater Kashmir has been advocating for additional power procurement during these months to meet the heightened demand, especially critical for patients, students, and the business community who suffer the most from power shortages.