Anantnag, Dec 26: Extensive inspection drives in Kulgam and Anantnag districts of the South Circle have led to improved power supply and a crackdown on illegal power usage, officials said.
The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has been conducting routine inspections throughout the day and night to curb illegal connections and meter tampering, ultimately improving supply for consumers in both districts.
An official said that rising Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses prompted the drives to prevent illegal hooking and meter tampering.
Muzaffar Ahmad Lone, Superintending Engineer (SE), South Circle, said that illegal and excessive power consumption causes peak-hour load demands to reach around 715 MW.
“The agreed load for both districts is 257.88 MW and 87.17 MW, totalling 345 MW. However, this agreed load can reach 715 MW, causing forced power cuts at times,” he said.
Lone said that 1305 inspections were conducted in December alone to ensure a smooth power supply across the South Circle. “During these drives, 439 consumers were found using power illegally, engaging in ‘power theft,’ while 68 were found to be unregistered and illegally obtaining supply,” he said.
He further said that illegal power users and unregistered consumers were penalized, with a total of 18.02 lakhs collected in fines.
The SE South Circle assured consumers that an uninterrupted power supply is possible if electricity is used judiciously.
“Regular inspections play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and safety of power supply for consumers,” he said. “These efforts help identify potential issues in power infrastructure, preventing outages and ensuring the proper functioning of electrical systems. Besides, inspections contribute to compliance with safety standards and regulations, promoting a more stable and efficient power supply for all.”
