KCCI president concerned over deepening power crisis in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 24: Javid Ahmad Tenga, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Friday expressed profound concerns about the deepening power crisis currently afflicting the Kashmir Valley.
It is astonishing that despite assurances from authorities, the situation has not only failed to improve but has taken a turn for the worse, casting the region into prolonged darkness, Tenga said in a statement.
“It is a matter of great concern and astonishment at the authorities’ apparent failure to grasp the severity of the situation. The decision to procure insufficient power, as revealed by recent events, has plunged Kashmir into an unprecedented crisis. Despite assurances, the Valley continues to grapple with power shortages, revealing a gap of over 800 MW in electricity supply, resulting in extended power cuts that severely impact the daily lives of the people,” he said.
“The reports indicate that the power supply levels are alarmingly below the demand recorded in 2004. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for immediate action to avert a deepening crisis. The non-signing of power purchase agreements as a critical factor contributing to the current predicament, leading to substantial losses for Industry, tourism, handicrafts, trade, retail, horticulture , health services, education besides causing untold hardships to sick & ailing, children & elderly , households etc,” he said.
KCCI believes that the concern shown by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha about the power outages will have desired effect on the bosses controlling KPDCL and instead of hiding behind conflicting statements will take measures on war footing and prevent the anger caused by severe power crisis, more so, with the early setting in of a severe winter directly make them the target of public anger, he said.