Sonamarg, Oct 20: The famous resort town of Sonamarg known as the “Meadow of Gold” is reeling under severe, extended power outages, threatening local livelihoods and diminishing the experience for visiting tourists.
As early winter conditions begin to lower temperatures across the Valley, hoteliers, shopkeepers, and local service providers in Ganderbal report that unpredictable and prolonged load-shedding has severely disrupted daily operations.
According to the local hoteliers and traders, the persistent power cuts have disrupted basic amenities critical to hospitality, including heating systems, geysers, lighting, and commercial kitchens.
With evening temperatures plunging near freezing levels, hoteliers express difficulty keeping guest rooms warm and maintaining reliable hot water supplies.
“Power supply fluctuates constantly, forcing us to rely heavily on expensive diesel generators,” said a local hotel operator. “It increases operational costs significantly at a time when we are trying to maintain affordable rates for visitors.”
Local shopkeepers and restaurant owners echo similar concerns, noting that dark storefronts and interrupted services discourage tourists from exploring the local markets during evening hours.
President Beopar Mandal Sonamarg, Furqan Ahmad Shera said that the KPDCL has in it’s recent schedule announced a 6 hours power cut for Sonamarg at a time when the temperature is almost dropping to zero here and the hoteliers and traders are somehow managing their livelihood.
“Uninterrupted 24×7 power supply isn’t a luxury – it is a basic requirement to sustain tourism, protect local livelihoods, and ensure guests leave with a positive impression of the Valley,” Furqan told Greater Kashmir, calling for immediate intervention from senior administration officials.
The traders body has threatened to shutdown their businesses if the power department failed to revise its schedule. Earlier, In response to the escalating crisis, the Beopar Mandal Association Sonamarg submitted a formal representation to the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
The traders emphasized that local businesses have settled all outstanding electricity bills and strictly comply with official regulations.
With the peak winter season fast approaching, Sonamarg’s business community warns that unless dedicated feeders or reliable supply schedules are implemented immediately, the local tourism sector could face major setbacks throughout the winter period.
About The Author
