 Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 3: The Administrative Council in its first meeting under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G.C. Murmu reviewed the power scenario across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
K.K. Sharma, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, B.V.R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary and Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.
Commissioner/Secretary, PDD, Hirdesh Kumar made a detailed presentation highlighting the power scenario in Jammu & Kashmir including the status of restoration of power supply post snowfall on 6th & 7th November in Kashmir region.
A detailed account of both unrestricted and restricted power demand in Jammu & Kashmir regions was given in the presentation highlighting therein that against the average yearly restricted demand of 938 MWs in Jammu region, the PDD has provided 819 MWs. Similarly, in Kashmir region, against the restricted demand of 1328 MWs, the department has provided 1140 MWs. It was further informed that the unrestricted demand of Jammu & Kashmir regions is 1024 & 1490 MWs respectively.
The Administrative Council was apprised that following the snowfall, the power supply in the entire Kashmir region was severely affected especially in Districts of Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara and Shopian. The districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Budgam were also badly affected. The entire load in the Kashmir region on the evening of 7th November, 2019, plummeted to 30 MWs. The restoration works were initiated on a war footing basis and the power supply was fully restored in districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam by 10th of November, 2019. However, due to collapse of transmission line towers of the lines feeding Nihalpul, Amargarh and Magam grids, the power supply to districts of Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora was restored by erecting Emergency Restoration Structures (ERS).
The Administrative Council was apprised that after commissioning of 220 KV Zainakote-Aulesteng line, expected by ending February 2020, an additional 320 MVA will be added to the system which will bring the much needed relief in Kashmir region and Power curtailment will come down substantially. Commissioner/ Secretary, PDD also gave a brief overview of the steps taken for improving quality and reliability of power supply in both the regions. The Administrative Council was also apprised that the department has fixed target for achieving 100% metering by installing pre-paid /Smart Meters at Consumer level by March 2021.
During the meeting, Lieutenant Governor directed that 100% audit of all the transmission line towers at 220 KV and 132 KV level be conducted and corrective measures taken before the start of next winter season to prevent damage to tower structures.
Lieutenant Governor further directed that all the government buildings be provided with roof top solar systems, as a part of energy efficiency measure. |
