TANGLED THREATS |Hundi Trehgam residents at risk from dangling wires, decaying poles

Kupwara, Apr 2:  The residents of Hundi in the Trehgam area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed strong resentment against the concerned authorities for failing to upgrade transmission infrastructure in their village due to which they are facing severe hardships.

The residents said that they were living under a constant threat due to low-lying transmission lines.

They said that these lines are tied to rooftops of residential houses and trees at several places in the area.

“Most of poles installed in the area have been damaged decades ago and the Power Development Department (PDD) instead of installing new poles is taking the locals for a ride by leaving the wires and poles as such, which only goes on to show their callous attitude towards our genuine concerns,” said a female resident of the area.

“At many places, wires are even seen hanging within reach of a hand. Recently, a cow died of electrocution due to the damaged transmission infrastructure,” she said.

The residents also complained about the lack of a substantial electric supply in the area.

They said that in the ongoing month of Ramadhan, the situation had worsened more, exposing residents to extreme hardships.

“Despite paying Rs 780 as electricity bill every month, we are not getting substantial electric supply. There rarely is electric supply at the time of Iftaar and Suhoor timings,” the residents said.

They alleged that even after approaching the concerned authorities on multiple occasions they were yet to see any action being taken on the ground.

The residents sought immediate intervention from Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan and the Power Development Department (PDD) to resolve the issue on a fast-track basis to avoid any tragedy in the area.

Meanwhile, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) PDD Trehgam Muhammad Shafi told Greater Kashmir that he joined at Trehgam just 10 days back.

“We will do whatever can be done to thwart any possible eventuality,” he said.