Ensure uninterrupted power supply in winter

Power shutdowns have been a regular feature of winters in Kashmir. Complaints of erratic power cuts have already started to pour in from different parts in the valley especially during morning and evening hours. According to Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), it is due to load shedding, the people are facing problems. Also the use of crude heating gadgets during winters increases the demand and supply gap, resulting in unscheduled power cuts. The government is making claims to transform the power generation scenario in the UT from deficit status to the self-reliant one. However, while the electricity demand has increased significantly over the years, there has been little change on the power generation front. As a result, erratic power cuts especially in harsh winters have become common in the valley. There is a dire need for power reforms to bridge the gap between availability and consumption of electricity, and establish a dependable power distribution system in the UT. The realization of revenue in consonance with the supply of energy is also important in view of the huge gap between the supply of energy to the consumers and collection of power tariff. There is also an urgent need for implementation of various measures to upgrade the distribution and transmission system from HT to LT levels. Apart from power load, both low power transmission and high power transmission (LT and HT) lines are not strong enough to bear the load of snow and often there are break downs in the valley during winters. The government and the concerned authorities need to work on all these fronts to address the electricity problems. It should also ensure timely completion of various grid stations and other power projects to cope up with the energy demands in the UT. To meet these claims, the government must ensure fast tracking power generation schemes in the UT. The government often attributes harsh curtailment schedules to irresponsible usage of electricity by people. However, many government and semi-government departments remain the biggest defaulters. Government should act tough against these defaulters and recover the power arrears. People on their part must use electricity judiciously without resorting to violations like hooking, meter tempering and wire tempering. If we work collectively for self-sufficiency in electricity, it would give considerable fillip to the development and growth of all sectors in the UT.  The Power Development Department also needs to adopt the scientific approach to improve the power scenario in the valley especially during winters as Jammu and Kashmir is one of the places with the highest power transmission and distribution losses. PDD needs to gear itself and make its workforce deliver to the expectations of people and should frame a special plan to meet any eventuality in the winter.