Subaghia Scheme: Electric poles worth Crores left to rust in Pulwama
Pulwama : Electric poles worth crores of rupees, provided to Pulwama under the Subaghia scheme, have been left to rust, rendering them useless in improving the electricity infrastructure of the region, sources said.
The scheme, initiated by the Electricity Department in 2018 to address the poor electricity system in Pulwama district, has seen a significant setback as thousands of poles lay dormant corroded by neglect, they added.
Sources reveal that despite an allocation of 21 crores for the scheme in 326 villages of Pulwama, implementation has been marred by incomplete work and mismanagement. Over 2509 electricity poles of 9 meters, valued at more than 3 crore 51 lakh 73 thousand, along with 2896 poles of 8 meters worth 2 crore 96 lakh, were installed under the Subaghia scheme.
However, instead of serving their purpose, these poles now stand as symbols of wasted resources, gathering rust in various stations across the district.
Official statistics paint a grim picture, indicating a shortage of around 7,000 electricity poles in different areas of the district, exacerbating the already poor electricity system. Residents in hundreds of villages have voiced their concerns over the apparent disappearance of these poles, purchased at considerable expense.
The inefficiency and apparent mismanagement within the Electricity Department have left the public disillusioned, with many demanding accountability from the district administration.
Executive Engineer Pulwama, Muhammad Maqbool Naik, attributed the incomplete execution of the Subaghia scheme to its short duration, indicating that it started in 2018 and ended in 2019.
However, he assured that steps are being taken to address the issue, with discussions underway with senior departmental authorities to rectify the situation.
