Srinagar, Feb 02: The Gurez sector in North Kashmir's Bandipora district, previously in the spotlight for being connected to the electricity grid for the first time since India's Independence, has faced a setback on Thursday.
The joy among civilians was short-lived as the Administration announced that a major fault has developed in the transmission line stretching from Tragbal to Koragbal, a hilly area blanketed by several feet of snowfall during winters.
The administration has announced its decision to resort to diesel generators for electricity– the only place in the Valley to do so. However, there's an appeal to the public to use electricity responsibly, as misuse, especially with heating gadgets, can lead to damage to these generators.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad Ahangar issued an order in this regard, reads that "General Public of Block Gurez is informed through the medium of this notice that 33 KV transmission line from Bandipora to Gurez has developed a major fault between Tragbal and Koragbal. Due to heavy snowfall and closure of Gurez Bandipora road it is not possible to restore the power supply immediately,"
It also reads that the KPDCL Gurez will supply electricity through already in place Gen sets from today. "General Public is informed to refrain from any misuse of electricity which can cause damage to DG sets consequent interruption in power supply due to over load. Any violation found will be seriously dealt under rule of law," it added.
The hope for grid-connected electricity has been dashed for the people in the Valley, cut off from the rest of the world during winter months due to heavy snowfall. Locals stated that the restoration process will be prolonged, citing significant snow accumulation along the Gurez Bandipora road, through which the transmission line passes.
"There were concerns raised during the summer about the project's viability in winter, but it wasn't taken seriously. Everyone was celebrating the arrival of electricity at that time," they mentioned, adding that there will be significant damage to electricity poles along the way, given the challenging terrains and tough topography.
"The transmission line project, initiated by the Government in 2020 and executed by Jammu Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited, faced scepticism from locals due to its vulnerability in the tough topography, avalanche-prone areas, and extreme weather conditions, particularly at Razdan Top," Waseem Ahmad, local said.
"The government should have initiated a power project in Gurez, providing a permanent solution, rather than attempting to bring electricity from Bandipora through challenging transmission lines," he said.
Gulam Mohammad, an elderly resident, said that the government had promised a project in Gurez back in 2010, which remains unfulfilled. "So, instead of pursuing this transmission line, the government should prioritise fulfilling its earlier commitment for a power project in Gurez," he added.
The question still lingers about when the location hosting the 330 MW power project, generating 1,713 million units per annum by diverting water from Kishanganga river to an underground powerhouse, will attain a permanent power solution.
This vital source of electricity benefits several North Indian states, and the quest for a lasting solution remains unanswered.
