The Aura of being an inhabitant of the Valley of Kashmir hits differently each time when an author in scripts its beauty and bounty. Paradise on Earth, the heavenly scenic beauties, snow-clad Himalayas, crystalline lakes, the soft pashminas, etc. Everything falls short of words of course. Nothing except the lines by Amir Khusrau-
Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,
Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast
(If there is a paradise on earth,
It is this, it is this, and it is this)

But what can be sadder than a dark snowy paradise. With the harsh winter kicking in Kashmir, people of the valley expect some relief only with some acceptable power supply. The whole system of a home, office, school, and even the prior most hospital depends on electricity. What is to be done when there is an outage of 18 hours every day, where do the people go?
Srinagar recorded a minimum of -1.8 degrees last week, but what isn’t ringing any bell for the authorities is the power crisis the people of the valley are facing. With no heating appliances, hot water or even a light bulb, it’s a curse rather than a heaven to live in.
Previous governments limited power outages to four or six hours. Power from the Northern Grid was timely purchased for this and henceforth the people didn’t face this trauma.
Why is shortage this happening after decades in valley?
With power generation reaching a record low of 50–100 MegaWatts (MWs) against the demand of 1800 MWs, Kashmir is facing its worst electricity crisis to date, severely affecting the lives of over 70 lakh people.
For Kashmir to have a 16-hour electrical supply, 1800 MW of power is required. In order to provide continuous supply, 2200–2300 MWs are necessary. The Power Development Department (PDD) reports that it produces 50–100 MW per day. In previous years, 200–250 MWs were also produced in the winter.
This year, Kashmir saw a prolonged stretch of dry weather. November’s chilly temperatures that followed it severely slowed down the flow of water in rivers like the Jhelum. Production has been severely impacted by this, a PDD official stated.

The government currently buys 1150 MW, but it is still short by 650 MW. Power outages would thereafter be limited to six to eight hours.
The Jhelum’s discharge, which totaled 42.87 lakh cusecs annually, was much less than the 73,000 cusecs that were anticipated in October of this year.
Despite the Muncipal Corporation taking the Smart City projects in hand, and also putting forth the privatization of the Power Department into progress, the management of the yet to come Chillai Kalan (harshest 40-day long winter) is seen melting down like snow.
The Rise in Health severity in the valley
The Hospitals, emergency wards, ICU’s are either “managing” or working on alternative fuels. People wonder where is the promise of the Centre that sought the people in confidence for failed promises.
According to residents, the Valley is currently experiencing the longest power outages in 20 years, lasting 16 to 18 hours every day. The young and elderly are particularly badly impacted, with a spike in the number of people with viral infections chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the winter months.
Children and elderly have been advised to stay indoors. Many healthcare facilities are seen overflown with sick children complaining of chest congestions and high fevers. People with cardiac and pulmonary problems are advised to stay indoors. But what can a common man do when indoor is as chilling as the outdoor. When there isn’t any heating appliance working for them.
“The vital role of adequate power supply in saving lives, especially in relation to essential services like hospitals, control rooms, fire and emergency services, paramilitary operations and handling medical emergencies remains paramount besides maintaining a steady electricity supply to the general masses,” Zafar Mir, a socio-political leader stated while appealing the PM Modi and Home Minister Amit shah to resolve the crisis.
The smart meter project still incomplete
Approximately 50% of the 21 lakh houses are metered. About 4 lakh households have also had smart meters installed. Nonetheless, opposition to the installation has been encountered throughout J&K, both in rural and urban regions. The UT administration has made it clear that 100% metering in every location is required to provide electricity around-the-clock.
While attempts are being made to install meters in all areas as soon as feasible, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said at a press conference that power outages will be minor in metered areas and maximum in non-metered areas.
However the current situation lies same for both metered and non-metered areas. Both households are turning savage in dire needs of electricity.
Many Online employees are facing terminal situations with gadgets dying beforehand due to scarcity of power supply.
Same is the issue with critical patients at home that require a 24 hour supply of electricity for oxygen and monitoring. Family members are found keeping a sufficient and expensive amount of alternative fuels at home.
School children and College students also compromise with their studies in this situation. With neither any light nor warmth, its impossible to put the concentration ahead against the harshness of the cold.
What is the Lt. Governor saying?

In a statement released here, an official spokesperson stated that the LG Manoj Sinha, taking over a review meeting regarding the state of J&K’s power supply overall, asked H Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD), to ensure strict compliance to curtailment plans, continuous and high-quality power in all 100 percent smart metered feeders, and prompt replacement of damaged transformers to prevent any inconvenience to the people.
In order to cope with the peak demand for electricity, he advised the team on the ground to keep a careful eye on the situation and take preventive measures.
Sinha also evaluated the state of the workforce, electrical infrastructure, and smart meter installation.
In-depth talks were held at the conference about a number of topics related to addressing the increased demand for power in the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Arun Kumar Mehta, the chief secretary, H Rajesh Prasad, the principal secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD), Santosh D. Vaidya, the principal secretary of the Finance Department, and Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, the principal secretary to the LG, were all present at the meeting.
People are desperately hoping that before the onset of Chillai Kalan the government will be successful in relieving them of this collective punishment they’re facing.
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