24 -Hr electricity in Kashmir only after Alesteng Grid is functional: Govt

‘People across Valley complain pesky power cuts’

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 29-Nov-2019

The government on Friday said that the Valley would receive 24x7 electricity only after the Alesteng grid station will be made functional.According to the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Engineer Power Development Department (PDD), Hashmat Qazi said that in 24 hours, the power remains off for four and a half hours in metered areas across Kashmir in a day.He added that in non-metered areas, it has been decided that the electricity will be curtailed for eight hours in a day.The statement of Chief Engineer comes at a time when the people across the Valley are complaining of irregular power cuts. The people from different localities across Kashmir said that they are being forced to reel under darkness, leaving them to suffer.“We are facing hardships due to the unscheduled power cuts and the government must take steps in this regard to ensure proper electricity to people in the harsh winter,” the locals said.However, PDD Chief Engineer said that they are providing adequate electricity to the people.Asked about the promise of 24x7 electricity by the former Governor Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik on September 18, Chief Engineer said that the process to ensure round the clock electricity to the people has already been started.However, he said that round the clock electricity is possible only after Alesteng grid station will be made functional for which the work is going on.About grid station, Qazi said that the work is being carried out by some other people, adding that the PDD has no information regarding the completion of work over the project. (KNO)