POWERLESSNESS: For 2 years, Jumagund village in Kupwara is without electricity

Kupwara, Oct 3: Residents of Jumagund, a remote village near the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, have been living without electricity for nearly two years, as authorities fail to repair damaged transmission lines and installed generators remain unused due to a lack of fuel.

The crisis began after heavy snowfall in the winter of 2023 damaged the village’s transmission lines, leaving households entirely in the dark. “We are suffering due to a lack of electricity, but nothing has been done to mitigate our problem. It feels as if we are living in ancient times. We are forced to light our houses by conventional means after sunset,” said Mohammad Sideeq, former Sarpanch of Jumagund.

“The plight of Jumagund highlights the harsh realities faced by remote areas. The absence of electricity reflects a pressing need for long-term solutions to improve living conditions for residents,” he added.

Two large generators were installed in the village to provide a few hours of electricity each evening. However, they have never been put to use. Residents said, “When the generators were provided, we were promised three hours of electricity daily until the transmission lines were repaired. Almost two years have passed, but local officials have not used the generators, citing a lack of fuel.”

Villagers claim repeated requests for redressal have gone unanswered, leaving Jumagund in perpetual darkness.

Assistant Executive Engineer of the Power Development Department (PDD), Trehgam, Mohammad Shafi, confirmed that the transmission line spanning ten kilometres from Puta Khan Gali to Jumagund is completely damaged. “We have submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to higher authorities for repair of the transmission line,” he said.

When asked why repairs have not been carried out, Shafi cited the non-availability of funds as the reason for the prolonged delay.