Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Nov 22: There seems to be no end to the power crisis which keeps on worsening with each passing day in this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The irony is that there are three Hydroelectric Power Stations in Ganderbal – Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal, Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 1st Kangan and Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 2nd Sumbal generating electricity on the river Nallah Sindh.
Every year, with the onset of winter, begins erratic power supply in the district, causing immense hardships to the common masses as well as businessmen. The students are the worst affected due to unscheduled power cuts as it severely affects their studies.
People from various areas of Ganderbal like Kangan, Prang, Wussan, Chinnar, Kijpora, Gujarpati Prang, Arahama, Anderwan, Cherwan, Bonibagh, Thune, Ganiwan, Gund, Rayil, Kullan, Gagangeer and scores of villages are up in arms against the Power Development Department (PDD) for not providing regular electricity supply.
“Our mornings and evenings are without electricity. It looks like we live some decades back,” said a woman from Wusan, adding, “Our children are unable to study properly. Unfortunately, the authorities resort to unscheduled power cuts in the morning and evening hours, which is the ideal time to study.”
The locals of Saloora, Qamria Chowk, Wanipora and Bamloora said that they have been facing continuous power cuts for the last two weeks.
“Three power projects in the district is a joke. There is no electricity here and not even a curtailment schedule,” Ali Muhammad, a local, said.
A shopkeeper in the main town, dealing with Photostat, lamination and other public and academic-related activities, said, “We pay bills on time and get no electricity. The frequent power cuts have affected our businesses.”
“I, as a normal shopkeeper, face financial losses due to non-availability of electricity not to speak of large business outlets whose entire work depends on power,”
The people said the absence of electricity in this bone-chilling cold is a “sheer injustice”.
The power department released a list on November 15 but it is not being implemented. They are playing with our sentiments. If the situation remains the same, we will come on roads to protest,” said a group of people from Ganderbal main town.
