Unscheduled power cuts trigger outrage among consumers in Srinagar

Srinagar, Nov 29: With no let-up in unscheduled power cuts, consumers across the summer capital are facing a tough time
Consumers from various areas said that despite the installation of smart meters in their localities over a year ago, they never received uninterrupted power supply.

“Authorities, while installing the smart meters had claimed that these will ensure enhanced power supply, but nothing like that happened,” they said.
“We expected a better power supply after installation of smart meters but it proved to be a bundle of lies.
Bilal Ahmad, a consumer from Soura area, said that smart meters were installed in the locality long back.

“The authorities went a step ahead and installed pre-paid smart meters. We were promised uninterrupted power supply. I think we had a better power supply before installation of smart meters. We are suffering due to uninterrupted power supply,” Bilal said.

Srinagar witnessed major resentment from consumers against the installation of smart meters earlier this year. They had stated that they cannot afford inflated bills and want authorities not to install smart meters.

“Many consumers were forced into installing smart meters with a promise of uninterrupted power supply. Many of the consumers who were hoping for authorities to keep that promise are suffering equally. We are unable to charge our inverters, let alone use other electronic gadgets. The power theft and hooking ended after smart meters in these areas, but the power scenario is the same,” said Asif Ahmad, another consumer.

Traders in Srinagar areas with smart meters say that they are equally suffering, and their trade has been badly affected. Ayaz Zehgeer, Chief organiser of Beopar Mandal trade body in Downtown, said that recently, smart meters were installed in shops around Maharaj Gung, Zaina Kadal, and Nowhatta. He said they expected a better power supply but acute power cuts have pestered them.

“We are unable to carry out basic operations because of power cuts. We have given up hope on an uninterrupted power supply and want at least a curtailment schedule to be followed. We have to print our GST bills every month, and our printers and other gadgets are out of service for the want of electricity. At least some power supply should be maintained so that we can keep our inverters running and carry out basic work. Our traders who rely on power supply more than others have their business crippled,” Zehgeer said.

An official from Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation said that demand at certain points throughout the day shoots up, forcing power cuts.

“There is more demand than what can be supplied, which forces continuous power cuts. Although metered areas have always lower scheduled power cuts and better supply but due to the issue of more demand, power cuts go beyond schedule,” said the official

Greater Kashmir did a series of stories on the oval power scenario in Kashmir. The official data revealed that the agreed load, set at 2171 MW by the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), has consistently increased from 1911 MW in March 2021 to 2045 MW in 2022, reaching the present agreed load of 2171 MW in 2023.

Meanwhile, the power allocation in Kashmir has fallen far below the agreed load at a mere 1400 MW to 1500 MW over the last couple of weeks, which has led to an overall power crisis.

When contacted, Chief Engineer KPDCL did not respond to multiple calls from this reporter.