Dark Days: Why is Kashmir grappling with its worst power crisis in years?

Kashmir is reeling under its worst power crisis in nearly two decades. The reported daily power cuts of 12 to 16 hours have affected the lives of more than 70 lakh people.

The onset of winter has further worsened the problem as temperatures have already plunged to sub-zero in the Valley. While the Jammu and Kashmir authorities say they are working to resolve the crisis, the Opposition has ramped up their attacks on the administration.

What has led to such an acute power shortage in Kashmir? Let’s find out.

Kashmir power crisis

In Kashmir, the power generation has touched a record low of 50-100 MegaWatts (MWs) compared to the demand of 1800 MWs, as per The Hindu report. The Valley requires 2200 to 2300 MWs for an uninterrupted power supply.

Due to this, Kashmir has been grappling with unscheduled electricity cuts much above the scheduled four-and-a-half to eight-hour daily outages earlier decided by Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) in October, reported Hindustan Times (HT).

In areas where smart meters were installed, there are daily power cuts of over eight hours, while non-metered places are facing 10-12 hours of electricity shortages, noted The New Indian Express (TNIE).

According to the Times of India (TOI) report, this is the worst power crisis in Kashmir since 2004 when people witnessed blackouts for up to 18 hours a day.

H Rajesh Prasad, the principal secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD), said last week that the demand for electricity in Kashmir jumped 3,200 MWs, while the power generation was just 150 MWs, compared to 1,050 MWs in summers, the report added.

Why is this happening?

The electricity production in J&K’s power plants reportedly goes down during the winter months owing to freezing temperatures. A PDD official told TOI that the power generation was further affected this time due to a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir.

“There was a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir this year. It was followed by freezing temperatures in November, which has further slowed down water discharge in rivers like the Jhelum. This has hit production badly,” a PDD official was quoted as saying by The Hindu daily.

Earlier, the power generation was 200-250 MWs during winters in Kashmir. After buying power from the Northern Grid, the previous regimes had slashed outages to four-six hours, the newspaper noted.

How is it affecting people in Kashmir?

Kashmir’s power crisis is badly affecting the elderly, especially those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “My father, who is in his 70s, is a COPD patient. We had to buy a generator so that his oxygen concentrator machine runs without disruptions. I don’t think all families can afford generators. Prolonged power cuts are a death knell for such patients,” Imtiyaz Khan, a showroom owner from Srinagar’s Lal Bazaar, told The Hindu.

According to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the electricity cuts have impacted several sectors, including industry, tourism, handicrafts, trade, and healthcare, reported TOI.

The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) said the current crisis is adversely affecting economic activities as well as the daily lives of residents. “Despite the assurance by the power department that an additional 500 MW of electricity supply would be purchased from the Northern Grid, Kashmir continues to grapple with unscheduled power cuts that are creating chaos in the daily lives of its residents,” KTA president Aijaz Shahdhar told HT.

With temperatures dipping below zero in Srinagar, residents are relying on traditional bukharis and kangris (firepots) to keep themselves warm, reported TNIE.

What are authorities doing?

As per The Hindu report, the J&K administration has formed a panel to buy electricity from the Northern Grid. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha held a meeting last Thursday (23 November) to review the overall situation of power supply in the Union Territory.

A spokesman said the LG has asked PDD’s H Prasad to seek “strict compliance with curtailment plans, uninterrupted and quality power in 100 per cent smart metered feeders and timely replacement of damaged transformers”.

As per The Telegraph, Prasad has claimed that the LG has okayed the purchase of 2,400MW to meet the power shortage.

Meanwhile, the KPDCL has also launched a crackdown on consumers who have not cleared their dues, with penalties on users reaching Rs 7.95 lakh on 23 November.

“1048 domestic, commercial and industrial connections have been disconnected for non-payment of energy dues, which were pending for more than three months. This includes 731 domestic, 266 commercial and 31 industrial consumers,” a KPDCL spokesman told The Hindu.

“The inspection and disconnection drives against power theft and defaulting consumers respectively will help the Corporation stick to the curtailment schedule,” he added.

Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has assured the situation would improve within a week. “The power schedule announced earlier is not being adhered to as demand has abruptly gone up due to the early onset of winter. We are expecting an improvement in the power scenario as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the chief secretary have constituted a committee for power purchase,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.

Protests in Kashmir, Opposition hits out

Kashmiris have reportedly staged demonstrations and Opposition parties have also hit the streets against the daily blackouts.

Many leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a protest at the party headquarters in Srinagar recently.

The Opposition has hit out at the J&K LG over the power cuts. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah accused LG Sinha of enjoying luxuries while common people struggle for essentials like power.

“Governor sahab, at least make arrangements for power. You talk about double engine (government) everywhere you go but we do not find even a single engine here. If the Raj Bhavan has to purchase anything, no tenders are needed. There was an order last time, which said there should be no restrictions on governor sahab’s luxuries and things for him should be purchased immediately without issuing tenders,” National Conference Vice-President Abdullah alleged, as per The Telegraph.

The former CM also demanded the Centre to “return” J&K’s power projects. “They (Central government) took advantage of our helplessness. We could not construct projects (because of the lack of resources). But what is stopping you from giving our projects back to us (as Jammu and Kashmir is now run directly by the Centre)? So many committees, working groups and round tables have said these projects should be returned to Jammu and Kashmir,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari dubbed the power crisis a “collective punishment”. “We have to fix responsibility. Why didn’t officers raise an alarm about dip in water discharge and prepare a proposal to purchase from the Northern Grid. This crisis did not happen overnight. There was a prolonged dry spell for all of us to observe. If there was an elected government such a crisis would not have happened and the responsibility would have been fixed,” he said, as per The Hindu.

“It’s collective punishment. The L-G should go to Delhi and seek help from the Centre,” Bukhari added.

With inputs from agencies