The icy grip of winter has tightened over Kashmir, resulting in record-low nighttime temperatures. The winter capital of Srinagar experienced its coldest night of the season on Wednesday, with temperatures as low as minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. However, in the middle of this bone-chilling cold, there’s another chill that endures: an erratic power supply that’s seriously bothering the locals.

The electricity situation appears to be trending in the same direction as the mercury as it continues its downward trajectory. The government of Jammu and Kashmir recently signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for an additional 2500 MW, which seems to be a positive start. However, the actual situation shows a different picture, with people experiencing discomfort due to ongoing unplanned power outages.

It is a promising step to increase power availability by doubling the current capacity. But it’s critical to address the discrepancy between intention and performance. The meeting between Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister R K Singh was undoubtedly one of the proactive steps J&K has taken to increase power supply in the near and medium term.

However, accounts of people experiencing continuous power outages even after smart meters were installed show how promises and actions are not aligned. A worrying trend—a decrease in power generation over the past few years—is shown by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation’s (JKPDC) power generating data.

The Role of Power Developement Department in Kashmir Crisis

The public identification of customers involved in unlawful operations such as meter bypassing, hooking, and exceeding agreed load limitations has resulted in backlash against the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
The “operation” to publicly identify people was started, according to a KPDCL official, to reduce power theft and fight theft.

He said that almost 2,000 customers have already received fines, and the campaign will go on.
He added that there have been more than 15,000 inspections to date, and fines totaling Rs. 2 crore have been levied. He said that “so far, over 1000 illegal connections have been regularized.”

Although many members of the public have praised the idea, KPDCL has come under fire on social media from some residents. They contend that before making any public moves, the government ought to give the accused people a chance to demonstrate their innocence.

Fahrah Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, stated, “This is a violation of the right to privacy. No one is endorsing power theft, but there should be other options instead of publicly filming people and sharing it on social media.”

On social media, a video of an elderly man allegedly robbing power and fighting with a KPDCL lineman—possibly in Srinagar—went viral. The man is heard stating, “Yum che mae seeth za’aditi ka’rran (they (PDD lineman) are harassing me only).”

Power theft and Smart meters installation in Kashmir

The KPDCL officially announced on their X account on December 9 that they will publicly identify and disgrace the person(s) suspected of power theft.

“Watch this area as we begin identifying and publicly denouncing customers who engage in hooking, meter bypassing, and over-loading. Name, Customer ID, Address, and Home will all become publicly available. Let’s stop robbing people.”

According to the department, a user cannot take on more than what has been authorized. The infrastructure that a utility supplies is determined by the approved load in a given location. Equipment damage might result from using more electricity than is authorized, according to the KPDCL.

“This is the only mindset which we are fighting,” said a different post from the Superintending Engineer Operation and Maintenance Circle-I, Srinagar, official handle. “Please work together to stop the BIJLEE CHOOR’S so that the savings are put toward a hospital or a student getting ready for college.”

The administration’s approach

There won’t be any power outages at the 22 receiving substations with 11 KV outgoing lines, according to the Kashmir Power Distribution Company Limited (KPDCL).

In a statement, the Chief Engineer Distribution stated that the goal of this decision is to incentivize customers who have feeders and smart meters to show minimal aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses.

According to the Kashmir Power Distribution Company Limited (KPDCL).22 receiving substations with 11 KV outgoing feeders would not experience any power outages.

This shift, according to a statement from the Chief Engineer Distribution, is intended to incentivize customers who have feeders and smart meters to show minimal aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses.

Papchan, Nishat, Achabal, Chee Panthidpora, Prakhaspora, Malaknag, Iqbalabad, Verinag, Sangam Colony (New Feeder), Alamdar Colony, Wanbal, Hamdania Colony, Rajbagh Zero Bridge, Gulberg Colony, 90ft Soura, Indra Nagar, Zakura Crossing, Jan Mohalla, Main Lalbazar, Botshah Mohallah, Deewan Colony Shalimar, Gulab Bagh, Ellahibagh, and Saloora are among the 22 feeders that are headed out.

There is a substantial discrepancy between the cost of purchasing electricity and the amount of income realized since Jammu and Kashmir has among of the greatest Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses in all of India. Compared to the national average of 19.73 percent, AT&C’s current losses are around fifty percent.

This significant divergence presents a problem since it increases the gap between the revenue earned and the cost of purchasing power.

Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, met with Shri R. K. Singh, the minister of power and new and renewable energy, in December to discuss the state of the power sector in the state. Manoj Sinha reportedly looked for more electricity to cover a 1,380 MW shortfall that was anticipated throughout the winter.

During the winter, J&K’s overall peak demand is anticipated to be about 2800 MW. This allotment is valid through March 2024, according to a statement.

Challenges for COPD patients

Over the past few weeks, there have been unplanned and unusual power outages in all four of the south Kashmiri districts: Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. As a result, patients have found it challenging to use their oxygen support equipment without any interruptions.

Patients are obliged to use oxygen concentrators or put generators into action when there isn’t a constant supply of energy, which raises the expense of treatment.

“A 15-liter oxygen cylinder lasts for about three hours and costs between Rs 250 and Rs 300,” a patient’s attendant from Pulwama’s Awantipora region stated.

He added that during the previous month, there had been frequent power outages in the region.

“We only get electricity for five or six hours a day, and it’s practically always off in the evenings.”
Winter exacerbates the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which affects hundreds of individuals in south Kashmir.

Air quality is greatly reduced during this season when hundreds of kanals of foliage are burned to generate charcoal after orchards have been pruned.

According to a 2018 study titled “Winter Burst of Pristine Kashmir Valley” by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the University of Kashmir (KU), domestic coal use accounts for 84% (or 1246.5 tons) of annual emissions, with vehicle combustion accounting for the remaining 220.5 tons.

Professor of pulmonary and internal medicine Dr. Rafi Ahamd Jan stated in an interview with Greater Kashmir that “cold weather conditions exacerbate the problems for COPD patients.”
He said that there was an increase in wintertime death rates as well.

For patients with low oxygen saturation levels, Dr. Jan said that oxygen concentrators were devices that may save their lives.

The matter needs to be addressed right away. It is imperative that the gap between agreed upon terms and observable outcomes be closed. The efforts being made to modernize the power industry are encouraging, particularly in rural areas where the issue is exacerbated by outdated infrastructure. But these initiatives need to result in noticeable advancements in the real world.

The Union Minister Singh’s pledge of enough funds for system redesign is a beginning in the right direction.
However, in order to lessen the suffering of individuals who experience frequent power outages, it is imperative that these activities be expedited.

For their lives to return to normal, the inhabitants of Kashmir rely not on signed documents but also on the smooth, continuous supply of energy.

Beginning from 21 December till Ist February, the coldest winter period, known as “Chillai Kallan” is just round the corner but will it bring any respite to the locals of the valley? Thus, both the stakes and hopes are high.