Ganderbal, Oct 19: With the onset of the pre-winter chill, long and unpredictable power curtailments have returned to haunt residents of Ganderbal district. The erratic electricity schedule has left shopkeepers, students and households struggling to manage their daily routines.
Residents in the main towns of Beehama and Kangan, as well as rural areas including Haripora and Gund, report experiencing extended power cuts lasting for hours at a stretch.
According to local business owners, operations have been hit hard during peak evening hours, forcing many to rely heavily on expensive diesel generators or battery inverters.
“We aren’t even into peak winter yet, and the power grid is already collapsing. The unpredictable and extended power cuts make it impossible to plan work or studies,” said Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Haripora.
Locals said the newly announced curtailment schedule has caused anger among consumers. Students preparing for upcoming examinations are among the worst affected, with their study hours routinely interrupted by evening power cuts.
Officials in the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) attribute the recent curtailments to a widening gap between power demand and peak availability across the Valley. An official said load-shedding and forced grid curtailments were being carried out to prevent overloading at key receiving stations during peak hours.
Consumers have urged the Power Department to ensure a minimum curtailment schedule so that people do not face hardships.
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