Handwara, Oct 5: Resentment is brewing against Power Development Department in several areas of Langate in frontier district of Kupwara, against erratic power supply.
 Residents of scores of villages including Kralgund, Nahma, Supernaghama
 ,Beighpora, Bicharwara, Hampora, Panditpora, Annan-wan, Hajin, Ganapora, Udipora told Greater Kashmir Monday that they were reeling under darkness due to frequent unscheduled power cuts.
 “Even in the evenings, the electricity plays truant here. We approached government umpteenth times to provide us normal supply, but rather than improving supply, it has deteriorated,” they said, adding that more than 20000 people were affected in Kralgund area.
 They said that power remains off for weeks due to frequent breakdown of 3.15 MW, Ganapora receiving station, due to overloading.
 The students of area said that they couldn’t prepare for exams due to absence of electricity in evening hours.
 “We can’t study properly as electricity plays hide-n-seek,” said Rifat, first year student.
 The locals of Mawar also complained of unscheduled power cuts. “Even at the time of irrigating fields, we face power cuts. Upper area of Lach, Nowgam, Sanzipora, Harel, Hanga and Budgund are worst hit by frequent power cuts,” said Khursheed Ahmed.
 “The proposal of constructing mini-hydel project to meet local needs was also put in abeyance by the government. Government should tap water resources to overcome this problem,” he added.
 When contacted, superintending engineer, PDD, Manzoor Ahmed, admitted that the problems existed in Lanagate, due to low capacity receiving station.
 “Doubling its capacity is our priority,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Oct 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Oct 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 IST