Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has voiced its serious concern regarding the unscheduled and persistent power outages plaguing Kashmir region amidst a harsh winter where temperatures have plummeted below freezing.
A stark 600 MW power deficit leads to unexpected power cuts contradicting earlier assurances that smart metering would minimize such disruptions, KCCI said in a statement to Ziraat Times.
KCCI questions the claims made during the summer that smart meters would lead to fewer power cuts but instead we are now witnessing prolonged and pesky outages across Kashmir, it said.
Current reports indicate that the power demand in Kashmir has surged above 2000 MW, significantly outstripping the allocated supply. The KCC&I has been urging the government to procure additional power during these winter months to alleviate the hardships faced by residents. The current power crisis underscores a lack of advancement in enhancing the hydropower capacity of Jammu and Kashmir, it further said.
These power cuts are not only an inconvenience but have a direct adverse impact on the local economy and have an unfavorable effect on health care, especially for patients receiving oxygen assistance at home, and disrupt the education. Tourists are not enjoying their trips, power interruptions also have a detrimental effect on the tourism industry, KCCI observed.
KCCI further said that businesses are reporting operational losses, and the industrial sector is similarly affected, struggling with productivity and financial stability due to power unreliability.
KCC&I has demanded immediate and tangible action from the authorities to address this crisis, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to power shortages that can support both the populace and the economic activities of the region during the severe winter season.
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