Electricity commonly known as power has become one of the basic needs of human beings, without which life becomes all stand still. Ignorance from its importance is in no way acceptable in the modern world.In view of the significance and importance of this sector, all possible efforts are being put in place by the state and as well as centre government to further improve the system of power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization.To achieve this goal, multi-pronged strategy has been taken in hand by the Power Development Department in the state. One among them is to increase the capacity of the available infrastructure and another is to reach out all those rural and far flung areas which are still using alternate methods of electricity across the state including border District Bandipora.District Bandipora which was carved out from the erstwhile district Baramulla in 2007 has three townships and 123 villages. Out of which 112 villages are electrified.To get the better results at the ground level, PDD department is divided into three divisions-Electric Division (ED) Bandipora, ED Sumbal, and Sub Transmission Division (STD) Bandipora/Ganderbal. It is further divided into 10 sub divisions including ESD Bandipora, Kaloosa, Gurez, Sumbal, and Hajin. The District is fed from three 132/33KV grid station Viz. Badampora (66MVA), Amaragarh (75MVA) and Nihalpora (120MVA).
There is 2121 km length power supply line available in the district which includes 1463 kilometres length LT lines, 545 kilometre length 11KV lines and 113 kil0ometre 33KV lines. Besides, there is also 94.6 MVA capacity 10 33/11 KV substations and 159.36 MVA capacity 1236 11/0.43 KV sub stations existing in the District.One 50 MVA capacity 132/33 KV grid station is coming up at Potushai Bandipora which is at the final stage of completion. Over Rs 15.46 crore have been incurred on the execution of the grid station so far. The grid station, when completed will prove as the best tool to boost the power scenario in the District. The work on transmission line is also progressing at a cost of Rs 19.85 crore, of which Rs 14.60 crore have been expended so far.The consumer profile of the district has touched the number of 44902 which include 40870 domestic connection, 3077 commercial, 553 industrial and 402 others, of this, 25384 connection are in electric division Bandipora and 19518 connection in electric division Sumbal. The department has realised Rs 29.50 crore revenue during 2016-17 while as there is a target of realising revenue of Rs 71.38 crore during current financial year of which Rs 5.30 crore have been realised up to ending June this year which consists of 7.42%of total target.The present dispensation headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has kept the power development as priority sector and the ministry of power development is being held by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh.
An amount of over Rs 100 crore is being incurred in the district to boost the power section under 4 centrally sponsored schemes namely Prime Ministers Development Programme ( PMDP), Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP),Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY). Under these programmes high volt Distribution system is being created at Bandipora, Sumbal and Hajin under R-APDRP and IPDS at a cost of Rs 28.09 crore.An amount of Rs 66.92 crore are being spent on creation of 33/11 KV and 11/0.44 KV sub stations along with allied networks in rural areas of District Bandipora under DDUGJY and PMDP, covering 11 un-electrified villages in District Bandipora under electrification programme.Since the Government is committed to provide equitable facilities to both rural as well as urban areas, Rs 7.11 crore are being incurred annually for providing six hour un-interrupted power supply on daily basis to the people living in far-off and remote areas of Gurez and Tulail tehsils of the district by way of Diesel Generator sets. The total capacity of diesel Generator sets installed at Gurez and Tulail tehsils cater to 3250 KVA of various capacities located at different locations of Gurez and Tulail Tehsils.