Erratic power supply in Ganderbal sparks outrage among residents

Ganderbal, Nov 22: With the onset of winter, erratic power supply has gripped the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, leaving residents and students in distress. Despite hosting three major power projects, the district continues to face an unreliable electricity supply, causing significant inconvenience, particularly during the critical morning and evening hours.
Residents from areas including Ganderbal, Kangan, Cherwan, Bonibagh, Thune, Ganiwan, Gund, Rayil, Kullan, and Gagangeer have been raising complaints for weeks about frequent and unscheduled power cuts. They expressed their frustration, stating that they consistently pay their electricity bills on time yet are left in the dark during the winter season.
“The electricity is playing hide and seek, especially in the mornings and evenings when power is needed the most,” said a local resident. Another local added, “Our children, who are preparing for their upcoming exams, are the worst affected. These outages make it impossible for them to study properly.”
The students echoed these concerns, urging the Power Development Department (PDD) to reschedule outages to the daytime instead of peak study hours. “The power cuts during crucial morning and evening hours could jeopardize our future. The authorities must consider the plight of students and adjust accordingly,” one student said.
Residents also questioned the logic behind such outages in a district with three operational power projects, appealing to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene. “It’s ironic that despite these resources, we face power cuts. The government needs to address this recurring issue and prioritize the needs of the community, especially the students,” said another resident.