Power Cut-Off and Winters in Kashmir

Ground Report | New Delhi: Power Cut-Off and Winters in Kashmir; And here again, winters arrive, marking the beginning of the power shut down in Kashmir. With the arrival of the frozen season, the parameter which adds to the plight of people is the continuous power cut–off. Sooty, cold rooms, desolate roads, barren shops, and chilly cold winds all indicate the harshness of the winter season.

Nevertheless, to mention, the chaos and horrible conditions that winter brings forth with itself since the past week people of Kashmir have been suffering terribly not only from the severe cold but ongoing power shut down across many regions. The electrical department has no relief or good news for the people of Kashmir and is struggling with their ongoing protests and strikes.

Meanwhile, the locals of Kashmir are suffering worse. Back then some areas of Srinagar, are still witnessing no electricity problems for days. The functioning of geysers is proving no more fruitful to people and electronic devices are of no benefits.

Moreover, kangri’s aren’t serving the purpose because of extreme dropping temperature. The Government of J&K should bear in mind the plights and miseries of common people. Not only supplying electricity to VIP area lines and educational institutions but there also exist other households in Kashmir as well that are facing many issues with respect to water scarcity, no heating facilities, no working of electronic gadgets. Day by day, India is progressing towards development, but at the same time, Kashmir is being dragged back to ancient times as an underdeveloped nation.

The fake promises of PM Narendra Modi and each and every person who previously hold reputed positions in the government with respect to basic amenities provided to the civilians is now clear as a crystal to each one of them and people are every now and then complaining about the same since ages. On the other end, no heed is being provided to these important and neglected issues. Privatisation of power supply is what has led to this strike by employees and this will continue unless and until the matter isn’t resolved as per their demands.

The development of power stations and hydropower projects are no doubt increasing at a good rate but depriving the people of these basic rights to livelihood is quite unacceptable and raucous. The GOI has to take this issue seriously this time and look forward to the upcoming problems beforehand.

Officials at higher posts are filling their pockets with a huge sum of money and the daily wage workers are suffering the worst they could. It nowhere justifies the basis of humanity and humanitarian traits. Speaking to a few people they brought the following conversation and points to my notice:

“Today it has been more than 24 hours since power was shutdown from the main feeder. We have no electricity and are literally living in the dark. Candles are being the only source of enlightenment for us these days”, said one of the residents.

“In metered areas, power cut-off does not follow a proper schedule. They supply it as per their will”, said another resident.

“The domestic appliances are consuming more in winters and it’s quite known to government... Yet when a transformer has a breakdown, it takes months to get it replaced. And meanwhile the voltage being supplied is comparatively negligible to what in other states.”

Power cut-off is showing a severe impact on the human community in Kashmir especially in winters when everything is dependent on electricity itself. So as such Government of India should take some initiatives to resolve this basic problem as soon as possible, In order to give a sigh of relief for people living in extreme cold weather conditions.

The author is an engineering student and she can be reached at ([email protected])

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