Electricity: Despite potential, Kashmir is dependent

The tall claims of the government with regard to augmenting the power infrastructure has fallen flat on the ground as the present power scenario is ample proof that the department is still lagging behind the adequate infrastructure. However, the statements being made by the incumbent top officers of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) are an indication that the department is fully dependent on outside electricity. One fails to understand what measures have been taken by the department from the last several decades to augment the power infrastructure despite having best and better potential to increase the capacity of power generation. The present power scenario is ample proof that the department has not taken adequate steps to generate the adequate units of electricity to the consumers of the Valley. The situation is worsening at present, but it is unfortunate that the department has not bothered to take alternate measures; rather it has been waiting for the improvement in outside states to buy the electricity from there to supply to the consumers here. This act of the concerned department is putting the question mark over the claims of the government about the augmentation of power infrastructure. There are claims that round-the-clock will be ensured to the people soon, but the present mess being witnessed is giving an impression that the situation cannot be changed anytime soon given the less infrastructure available due to which the power generation in Kashmir despite having potential is low.