Power crisis, again

The power crisis has deepened further. Subsequently, the frequency of scheduled and unscheduled power cuts has increased, causing lot of inconvenience to the consumers. Usually, this time of the year in past, the power scenario used to improve.

But this year rather than improvement there is deterioration. The concerned officials say the widening gap between demand and supply is leading to extra power cuts. There is a need to look into the causes of the power crisis and address those at the earliest. If there is a need to purchase more power from outside it should be done at the earliest.

In summer the local power generation will also increase and there will be less need to buy the power from outside. But till that time steps should be taken to improve the supply, and whatever is needed has to be done, including the purchase of more power.

The consumers say that when smart meters have been installed in their areas, they must get adequate power supply. According to them they were promised round the clock supply and if that is not possible right now, at least the improvement should be made in the present grim scenario. Jammu and Kashmir despite having enormous hydroelectric power generation potential is facing the crisis.

This is because the potential was not fully tapped and much attention was not given in time to the important power sector. Required number of power projects should have been established in the state sector.

If the successive governments had done that, J&K would have been not only self sufficient in power but also exporting the power to other states. If it has not been done in past, it should be done now.

A process should be started to establish new projects and complete the present incomplete projects speedily. If short term and long term measures for improving the power supply are not made, the crisis can deepen further. Hopefully the concerned authorities take all necessary steps to improve the power scenario and solve the problem of consumers.