HT wires in Uri area pose risk to residents

Uri, Nov 30: Residents of ward number 11 and 12 in main town Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district said their lives are under constant threat due to the presence of overhead high tension (HT) wires crossing through the area.

A delegation of locals told Greater Kashmir that the presence of 11,000 KV high-tension wires crossing through their residences has been a constant threat for years.

They have accused officials from the power department of neglecting to address the dangerous situation, which they say exposes both life and property to significant risk.

“The wires have posed a danger to many households for a long time, and there has been no intervention from the power department. Relocating the wires is the need of the hour,” said Mohsin Bhat, a local resident. “We demand that the wires be relocated along the main road, where there is ample space available.”

Residents expressed concern over the low-lying HT wires, which pass directly above their houses and could potentially cause serious harm or damage at any time.

“The high-tension wires are hanging very low and are almost touching the rooftops,” said Haji Mohd Shafi, another local. “The lines have already suffered extensive damage in several places, and if they broke, it could cause significant damage.” he added. “This poses a serious threat to around 5,000 households in the town.”

Locals also pointed out that the power department had recently proposed to install new electric poles in the area, but they raised objections.

“They wanted to install new poles simply to heighten the HT wires, but that will not solve the problem. We will still be at risk,” residents said, adding, “We took up this matter with the local MLA and the work was stopped as a result.”

The situation worsens during adverse weather conditions, such as rains and windstorms.

“These HT wires are in very poor condition,” said Zulfiqar Wathloo, another resident. “We demand that the wires be relocated away from our premises as soon as possible.”

The HT line which passes through the main town Uri, originates from the Salamabad receiving station and supplies electricity to several villages, including Garkote, Nambla, Hathlanga, Saidpora, Silikote and others.

However, Abdul Mateen Sherwani, Executive Engineer KPDCL Baramulla Division said that relocating the wires was not possible now.

“Before installing the high-tension (HT) wires, we conducted a thorough survey,” he said. “Since then, people have encroached on the land and built houses closer to the wires. Now they are demanding that the wires be relocated, which is not possible.”

He further emphasised that such a move would involve significant costs and could lead to disruptions in the electricity supply.