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| 3000 Cr new transmission line goes in vain | | `No improvement in power supply' | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Jan 2: Jammu and Kashmir might have spent Rs 3000 crore on new power transmission line but there has been no change on the ground as far as improvement in power supply is concerned.
An 850 kilometer power transmission line was commissioned few months back to " bridge the gap" in power infrastructure in the state. The public was given to understand that it would transfer 1000 MWs of power to the state from the Northern Grid. This announcement was made by the CEO Sterlite Power, Ved Tiwari during a press conference here in August.
He had said that project was commissioned despite challenges like difficult terrain, unpredictable and harsh weather conditions along with security concerns.
"The project will deliver over 1000 MW of electricity from Punjab to Kashmir by strengthening the national grid. Nearly 1150 towers have been erected in some of the most challenging terrains of the Pir Panjal range. Towers have been even installed at a height of over 11,000 feet. High cranes were used, which have never been used anywhere in Asia. Helicopters were also used in installing towers," he had said.
However, on ground nothing has changed. "We don't have infrastructure available in Jammu and Kashmir by which electricity could be supplied to consumers," an official of Power Development Department said.
The official said that there has been no benefit of new transmission line. "People shall not be in dilemma that it will help people in improvisation of power supply," the official said.
The official said that even if centre sanctions more power still there will be no improvement in power supply.
"Last winter, the government of India announced an allocation of additional power of 792 MW for Jammu and Kashmir in view of higher demand in winters in the state. However, it did not help then state to improvise power as the required infrastructure was not available," the official said.
Amid the harsh cold, the Kashmir is facing a severe power shortage, making life difficult for the people.
The cold wave conditions continued in Kashmir as Valley freezes in sub-zero temperatures. What worries people is the severe power shortage in the valley. The power problem aggravates with each passing day adding further woes to people in these harsh cold days.
Ali Mohammad, a resident of main town Ganderbal said people also protested against the abrupt power cuts but to no avail. "There are at least 20 power cuts of around 12-hours in a day. Every year we are assured of better power supply but the situation instead worsens," he said. He said that Power Development Department was not even adhering its own power curtailment schedule. |
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