Power cuts, overloaded transformers return to haunt Ganderbal residents

Ganderbal, Nov 30: Unscheduled power cuts and overloaded transformers have returned to haunt the residents of Ganderbal.

Even though the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a proper power curtailment schedule, unscheduled power outages still plague the Ganderbal district.

People in Ganderbal complained that they were facing inconvenience with the unscheduled power outages.

People in several localities including Gund, Gagengar, Kulan, Kangan, and Lar besides other areas of the district complained about the unscheduled power outages with the onset of the winter.

They said that electricity was playing hide and seek, causing problems for the consumers.

However, officials blamed the widespread use of inefficient and unauthorised devices for overloading the system.

“These crude gadgets and heaters cause significant strain on Distribution Transformers (DTs), leading to frequent breakdowns in winter,” the officials said.

Executive Engineer KPDCL Ganderbal, Dilshad Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that KPDCL had announced a proper power curtailment schedule and they were adhering to it.

“However, people should use power judiciously and legally so that the forced power cuts are avoided and consumers get supply as per the schedule,” he said.

Ahmad said judicious use of power would safeguard Distribution Transformers (DTs) from getting damaged.

He said that with the onset of winter, the heating load had increased as consumers started using crude heating gadgets like boilers and heaters that critically overload and damage the DTs.

Anticipating DT damage in peak winter and to provide succour to the consumers, KPDCL has maintained a buffer stock of 110 DTs in the Ganderbal division this winter.

“In the eventuality of snowfall, steel poles, conductors, and transformer oil have been stocked for immediate repair and restoration works,” Ahmad said.

He said that the DTs would be replaced within 24 hours and in case of severe damage, repairs would be done within 2 to 3 days.