Despite the augmentation of power infrastructure and the installation of much-hyped smart meters, the electricity woes continue to torment the valley residents ahead of the winter as since past one week, consumers are facing pesky power cuts across the Valley.

The situation is equivalent in towns, cities and villages as the consumers have accused the concerned Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) of supplying inadequate electricity to them.

“Despite the installation of smart meters, which were aimed to ensure better power supply, we are getting nearly 4-5 hours of electricity supply on a regular basis, which has added to the misery of consumers here,” said Jahangir Ahmad, a local from the Natipora area.

“Crores of rupees have been spent on the power infrastructure augmentations in the last couple of years, which were giving a hope of round-the-clock electricity to the people, but all in vein as seemingly the winter power schedule has been started in the valley during the Autumn season, thus pushing the people to the wall,” the residents said.

Such unscheduled power cuts are being witnessed everywhere nowadays as the complaints are being received from several other areas also.

Also Read: Man dies in Anantnag as tractor skids off road

The consumers said that the electricity is being snatched for hours together and is being supplied for only a few hours in a day.

“The electricity supply was snatched multiple times today, which began from 6am to 8:30 am in the morning, 1 am to 2:30 pm in the afternoon and then 6pm to 8:30 pm in the evening,” one of the residents from Pampore said.

The frequent electricity cuts have irked the people, who demand authorities to take immediate steps to ensure adequate power supply to them.

Pertinently, Kashmir’s power generation has got badly affected as according to the KPDCL Chief Engineer, Javed Yousuf Dar, the reduction in water level in river Jhelum, Chenab has lessened the power generation at the power houses of Kashmir.

“We are presently looking for an option to get the additional electricity to ensure adequate power supply to the people. We are on it and hopefully, the issue will be resolved in next few days,” Chief Engineer, KPDCL had said. KNO

A 65-year-old man died in a road mishap in Aishmuqam area of South Kashmir Anantnag district on Saturday evening.

Also Read: Infiltration bid foiled in Kupwara, two terrorists killed: Police

An official told that a 65-year-old man was critically injured after a tractor in which he was traveling skidded off the road in the Hapatnard area of Aishmuqam.

He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Meanwhile, police took cognizance of this road mishap and identified the deceased as Manzoor Ahmad Lone. KS

In a joint operation by Kupwara Police and Army an infiltration bid was successfully foiled in Kumkadi area of Machil Sector in Kupwara district. In this swift and coordinated operation, two (02) terrorists were neutralized, police said.

A police spokesman in a statement to Asian News Hub (ANH) said that based on an intelligence input generated by Kupwara Police, a joint alert party of police & Army launched a search operation in Kumkadi area along the Line of Control in Machil Sector. The joint team observed movement of terrorists, employing meticulous tactics, the terrorists were intercepted who fired indiscriminately upon the joint team. The fire was retaliated, leading to the elimination of two (02) heavily armed unidentified terrorists.

He said, identification and affiliation of the killed terrorists is being ascertained. Arms & ammunition including 02 AK Series Rifles, 4 AK Magazines, 90 rounds, 01 Pistol (Pak origin), 01 Pouch, cash Rs 2100 (Pak currency) & other incriminating materials have been recovered from the site of encounter.

The neutralized terrorists were found to be heavily armed, equipped with sophisticated weaponry which indicates their malicious intent to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the valley. However, due to the timely and effective response by Police & Army, their plans were foiled and a significant threat to peace and stability in the area was neutralized, he said.

In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation is in progress. Extensive search of the area is being carried out and further details if any will be shared accordingly, the spokesman added.