Pesky power cuts irks Awantipora, Tral residents
Pulwama: The residents of Awantipora and Tral hamlets in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday complained of unscheduled power cuts in the area.
The residents said the Power Development Department (PDD) was not following any proper curtailment schedule due to which they are reeling in darkness.
“Our areas are not getting power supply as per the winter curtailment schedule which was announced earlier,” a local resident said.
They said their area has been getting electricity for a few hours since last one month , which has added to their misery in this bone chilling cold.
“The department is claiming that they supply 16 hour power supply to non metered areas but on ground the situation is altogether different,” the locals said.
Shabir Ahmad a resident of Tral said that the electricity plays hide and seek in their area as the PDD supplies it for a few minutes on the scheduled time which however disappears for hours together.
“The government has hiked the power tariff but on ground unscheduled power supply is provided to our areas,” he said.
They said unscheduled and frequent power cuts have been persistent in the Awantipora area since the last three weeks but the department was least bothered to address the issue.
“Since December beginning the PDD has failed to ensure proper power supply as per the curtailment schedule which has taken a toll on our lives,” he added.
The locals said the unscheduled power supply has affected the residents as well businessmen, students and even small unit holders.
“Board exams are scheduled in March but in absence of scheduled power supply especially during evening hours has affected the students,” the residents said.
Locals from Awantipora and Tral said they took the issue with authorities several times but were convinced with only verbal assurances.
“The locals urged concerned higher ups to look into the matter at an earliest so that they can heave a sigh of relief,” the locals said.
Jahangeer Ganaie
