No end to sufferings

Almost four days have elapsed since the heavy snowfall occurred in most parts of Kashmir, but there has been no end to the sufferings of people in southern districts where the consumers of Power Development Department (PDD) have been forced to reel under darkness, thus adding to their miseries in the bone-chilling cold. The electricity in southern districts got affected due to the extensive damage caused by the major snowfall of this winter season. However, one fails to understand that despite having adequate men and machinery available, why is it taking so long to repair the damages and ensuring an immediate end to the power woes. Most of the consumers have claimed to have lost even contact to their relatives as their mobile phones, which are a pivotal tool of communication in present times, are not charged due to the absence of electricity. The department had earlier claimed that the electricity in Kulgam district will be restored in next few days, but in Pulwama and Anantnag areas, the consumers have been complaining of no electricity, claiming that they are reeling under darkness since the fresh snowfall occurred. Therefore, in a bid to provide relief among the consumers, there is a need to speed up the pace of restoration work, so that the affected areas could heave a sigh of relief. The government should also look into the matter to find out the reasons behind delay in restoring the electricity in affected southern areas including Pulwama and Anantnag. There is a need to probe the uprooting of the towers as well and come up with the plans to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.