SRINAGAR, DEC 19: In an effort to alleviate the challenges faced by the residents of Kashmir due to power disruptions, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri chaired a meeting with officials from the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Bidhuri emphasised the need for a humane approach by authorities, particularly in the face of harsh cold climatic conditions. He directed officials to promptly replace damaged Distribution Transformers (DT) to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Managing Director of KPDCL, Chief Engineer of KPDCL/KPTCL, and other relevant officers both in person and through video conferencing, delved into the current power scenario in the Kashmir division.
The Managing Director of KPDCL presented an overview of the power situation in Kashmir through a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation. The presentation covered aspects such as average demand met, maximum unrestricted demand, and average curtailment. It was highlighted that no distress cuts were implemented following the additional allocation of 200 MWs of power across the Kashmir Valley.
Divisional Commissioner Bidhuri reviewed district-wise details of average curtailment hours in metered and non-metered areas, both in urban and rural settings. The meeting also addressed the Distribution Transformer Buffer status of KPDCL and discussed the time taken for replacement. Bidhuri instructed officials to maintain sufficient buffer stock of DTs in each district, ensuring various capacities are available for prompt replacements.
Officials reported a reduction in the average time taken to repair damaged transformers, with restoration times of less than 12 hours in urban areas and within a day in rural areas.
Additionally, the meeting touched upon the status of smart metering under PMDP-U phases I and II. Bidhuri requested daily feedback on damaged DTs and replacements exceeding one day, emphasizing the importance of addressing such issues promptly.
Bidhuri also directed Deputy Commissioners and other concerned authorities to launch robust drives against power theft to curb pilferage effectively.
