Smart meter installation triggers daylong power cuts in Uri 

Srinagar, Aug 07: Residents and traders in Uri town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are reeling under prolonged power cuts over the past five days as the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Mohra division is carrying out installation work for smart meters in the area.Locals told Rising Kashmir over phone that the electricity is being snapped daily from 9 am to 5 pm causing widespread inconvenience and disrupting daily life. The move has not only impacted households and businesses but has also taken a toll on the functioning of government offices in the town. “These long hours without power are making it extremely difficult to manage work. The condition is so bad that we can’t run fans also,” said Azhar Kakroo, a local shopkeeper. “Our businesses are suffering and there’s no alternative arrangement from the authorities.” Government employees also expressed their frustration, noting that many official tasks have slowed down due to the lack of electricity during working hours. While residents support the modernisation drive through smart meter installation, they have raised strong objections to the timing of the power cuts. Locals have urged the authorities to revise the current schedule and instead carry out the installation work during early morning and late evening hours from 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm to minimise disruption. “The work should be done at times when people are least dependent on electricity. This 8-hour shutdown in the middle of the day is simply unmanageable,” said Abrar Ahmad, a local of the main town. Locals have appealed to Managing Director (MD) KPDCL Mehmood Shah, Superintending Engineer (SE) KPDCL Sopore and AEE Uri to look into the matter and ease out the problem at the earliest.