Muneeb Nazeer
Kulgam, Jan 7: Residents of several villages under the Yaripora, Kulgam Power Receiving Station are witnessing severe and frequent power cuts during the harsh winter season.
These outages have left people frustrated and inconvenienced, severely impacting their daily lives.
Villages like Yamrach, Check, Katapora, and Kanjikulla have reported erratic electricity supply. According to locals, power remains on for only 20 minutes, followed by an outage lasting 40 minutes, creating an unbearable routine.
Reyaz Ahmad, a resident of Kanjikulla, shared, “The electricity supply has worsened over the years. It has become even more irregular over the past two weeks, making it difficult to manage our daily lives.”
The power cuts are not only causing inconvenience but are also affecting patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), who are forced to rely on generators during outages, further straining their resources. Additionally, students are unable to study properly, and their education is suffering due to frequent disruptions.
Adding to the frustration, residents mentioned that despite a recent hike in power tariffs from Rs 1,160 to Rs 1,560, they are subjected to prolonged and unscheduled outages. Many villagers blame mismanagement and negligence by the incharge of the Yaripora Power Receiving Station rather than technical faults or grid failures.
The residents are demanding immediate intervention from higher authorities and seeking the replacement of the station’s incharge for their alleged inefficiency in managing the power supply.
When contacted, AEE for Yaripora Circle Peerzada Shabir told JKNS, “There was a minor fault with the breaker at the receiving station, but it has been rectified. Yesterday, there might have been more issues for the locals, but the situation is now under control. We have not received any fresh complaints as of now.”
The villagers, however, insist that their grievances must be addressed immediately to alleviate their suffering and ensure a steady power supply during these cold months. (JKNS)
