Erratic power supply hits students hard in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Dec 16: As winter sets in, the Ganderbal district in central Kashmir grapples with a chain of erratic power supply, causing distress among residents, particularly students preparing for upcoming exams.
Despite the presence of three major power projects and three new mini-power projects in the district, areas like Ganderbal town, Kangan, Cherwan, Bonibagh, Thune, Ganiwan, Gund, Rayil, Kullan and Gagangeer have reported scores of power supply issues over the past week.
Locals have expressed frustration, questioning why despite these power projects, proper electricity is not provided at the onset of winter. They said they diligently pay their electricity bills and still face considerable power challenges.
Residents in various areas complained about the recurrent power cuts, which have disrupted their daily lives, especially during crucial morning and evening hours. They said the power crisis has hit students the hardest, hampering their ability to study effectively.
“Our children are unable to study properly in the absence of power,” a local resident from Ganderbal town said.
The distressed people have called on the Power Development Department (PDD) to address the issue promptly.
Residents argue that scheduling power cuts during daytime hours would be more reasonable, sparing students during crucial study periods. The persistent outages during mornings and evenings, considered optimal study times pose a threat to the educational pursuits of numerous students.
In light of these challenges, the Ganderbal residents have urged the PDD authorities to implement a more student-friendly power distribution schedule.