Frequent, unscheduled power cuts leave Tral residents frustrated
Locals demand reliable electricity supply
Pulwama: Residents of Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have expressed strong resentment over frequent unscheduled power shutdowns and prolonged load shedding, alleging that erratic electricity supply by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has made life increasingly difficult, particularly during the ongoing summer season.
Consumers from several villages and the town area said that despite regular payment of electricity bills, they continue to face long hours without power, often with no prior notice from the department.
They said the repeated outages have severely affected domestic life, businesses, students preparing for examinations, farmers dependent on electric pumps and patients requiring uninterrupted electricity.
“We understand that scheduled maintenance is necessary, but what is troubling is the constant unscheduled power cuts. Electricity disappears several times a day without any information, making it impossible to plan our routine,” said Abdul Rashid Reshie, a resident of Tral town.
Another local, Reyaz Ahmad Lone said the power situation has deteriorated over the past several weeks.
“With soaring temperatures, frequent outages have become unbearable. We spend hours without electricity while fans, refrigerators and water pumps remain non-functional. The authorities should at least inform people in advance if there is any planned shutdown,” he said.
Residents alleged that besides officially announced shutdowns for maintenance, they are also witnessing prolonged load shedding that extends for several hours, affecting normal life across the area. KPDCL periodically issues notices about planned maintenance shutdowns in parts of south Kashmir, including Tral, but consumers say many interruptions occur without prior public information.
Shopkeepers said the erratic supply is affecting their businesses, especially those dealing in perishable goods.
“We suffer financial losses whenever electricity remains unavailable for long periods. Small traders cannot afford generators, and the uncertainty has become a major concern,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local trader.
Students also voiced concern, saying uninterrupted electricity is crucial for their studies.
“Many students depend on electricity for online study material and evening preparation. Frequent outages during study hours create unnecessary stress,” said Junaid Ahmad, a college student.
Farmers from the area said irrigation schedules are also getting disrupted due to the unreliable power supply.
“Our irrigation pumps cannot operate without electricity. Delays in irrigation during the peak agricultural season can affect crops,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer from Tral.
Residents urged the Chief Engineer KPDCL and district administration to look into the issue and ensure a stable power supply.
They also demanded that if shutdowns are unavoidable for maintenance or infrastructure upgrades, they should be announced well in advance through public notices and adhered to strictly.
The consumers said they are not opposed to maintenance works but expect transparency and proper communication from the department so that people can make alternative arrangements.
