Srinagar, Jun 27: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Lolab, Qaiser Jamshaid Lone, on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Corporate Headquarters of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) here to evaluate the progress of works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the Lolab Constituency (Kupwara Package).
Managing Director KPDCL, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, was present. The meeting saw participation from key officials, including Superintending Engineer, Project Circle South, Er M Hussain; Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle Sopore, Er Dalbir Singh; Executive Engineer, ED Kupwara, Er Mohammad Amin Shah, along with representatives from PIA – NTPC and M/s Vikran Engineering & Exim Pvt. Ltd.
The primary focus of the deliberations was to conduct a detailed assessment of the physical and financial status of various sanctioned works under the centrally funded RDSS in the Lolab region.
At the outset, the MLA highlighted the vital role of elected representatives in accelerating infrastructure development, especially within the power sector. A consolidated overview of project components, execution timelines, and existing bottlenecks was presented to the MLA for review.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts, the MLA emphasised the urgency of prioritising critical projects and urged strict adherence to the stipulated timelines. The Turnkey Contractor assured the committee of timely compliance and committed to accelerating execution to meet the agreed milestones.
The MLA stressed the importance of ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply to local residents. He underscored the necessity of maintaining an adequate buffer stock of Distribution Transformers (DTs) across different capacities, along with sufficient reserves of transformer oil, to enable prompt response to any contingencies or transformer outages.
Lone directed focus on upgrading the existing infrastructure, including the revamp of the ageing 33kV Old Kupwara line, which currently limits load capacity. He reiterated the strategic importance of fast-tracking the establishment of the proposed Grid Station at Waheedpora, Sopore, which is expected to significantly improve transmission infrastructure and address persistent load management issues.
To resolve field-level challenges, particularly related to Right of Way (RoW) constraints and local impediments, it was decided that a joint site inspection involving the MLA, KPDCL officials, PIA representatives, and TKC will be conducted on July 1, 2025, at Lolab. This collaborative exercise aims to facilitate the proactive resolution of site issues and expedite project implementation.
The meeting also approved launching a Solar Rooftop (SRT) Promotion and Registration Campaign under the PM–Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna. The campaign will commence with an inaugural registration for rooftop solar installations, aiming to raise awareness and promote the adoption of decentralised clean energy solutions among domestic consumers in the region.
