Says department can provide uninterrupted electricity in winters also if people cooperate and use it judiciously
Srinagar Nov 15: As the winter has set in, the demand for electricity has gone up in the Kashmir Valley and even as power corporation development limited (PDCL) said that they will work vigorously against power thefts in the Valley.
Chief engineer PDCL Aijaz Ahmad Dar spoke about how would electricity demand be dealt this winter and what are the challenges being faced by the department in providing electricity during harsh winters, he said that major hurdle in smooth supply of electricity in winter months is power theft and overloading by consumers.He said that this winter PDD will work vigorously against all those who are involved in power thefts.
“At many places there have been complaints of unauthorized use of electricity by some people and whosoever will be found indulged will be dealt strictly as per the law.”He said that the demand for electricity is increasing with each passing day as harsh winters are approaching and apparently due to cold temperature there is an increase in the use of electronic gadgets particularly heating devices.
“If the people will use electricity in a proper manner then definitely PDD can provide unrestricted power supply in winters also,” he said.He said that the people should refrain from over-usage of electricity which leads to unscheduled power cuts in their areas. “The electricity schedule of every area could be managed properly during harsh winters if people will cooperate with the PDD.
During inspection PDD have found many households carrying out power theft and bringing two to three power connections from different transformers,” he said.He said that they would request people not to indulge in power thefts as this creates hurdle in the efficient working of PDD department.
Ajaz said that he wants to convey a message through this platform to all the consumers that in the first week of November 2200 MW electricity was supplied with no unscheduled cuts. “If we talk about this week a total of 2500 MW electricity is being supplied. PDD has always appealed to the consumers to utilise electricity in a proper way. The loads should be in a limited manner so that in the month of November the electricity demand could remain sustained,” he said.He said the PDD had earlier issued a electricity programme and till today they have been successful in keeping that schedule intact.
“However, unscheduled power cuts are only being done to those areas where there is any complaint of overloading by consumers. In various areas more consumption of electricity has been recorded than the actual electricity capacity of power feeders,” he added.Ajaz said their enforcement against power thieves is a continuous drive and whenever a complaint regarding power theft will come to their notice they will definitely work along with administration and take action in this regard.
“Till now PDD on its own has been inspecting the overloading but if the people wont refrain from overloading, they would be working along with administration to take serious action against these issues,” he said.He also appealed to the consumers to use power supply judiciously and avoid usage of unnecessary electric gadgets.
Ajaz said that if somebody is indulged in overusage and power theft then people should report this matter to PDD Customer Care which is 24*7 helpline number. “People can also register their complaints to concerned executive engineers and if required people can directly report their complaints to me,” he said. (KNS)
