Jammu, July 12: If the relentless heat waves have made lives of Jammuites miserable, frequent and long power-cuts by the Power Development Department (PDD) are just adding to their woes.
 As the tall claims of a power-cut free summer in metered areas by the government prove hoax, the people in the winter capital of the state are struggling with power curtailments and water supply crisis.
 People alleged that the department had been resorting to unscheduled power curtailments even in the metered zone, where otherwise it was suppose to provide round the clock electricity supply.
 “There is no power for minimum eight to ten hours on an average everyday,” said a resident of New Plot.
 Most of the residents complain that despite the assurance by the Power Development Department that metered areas will get regular power, they still had to face frequent power cuts. “Government is only making claims in the name of streamlining the system and scenario is completely different on the ground”, said Gul Khan, a resident.
 The problem is more in the new colonies which were established in and around Jammu in recent years. In Channi Himmat, Sidhra, Roop Nagar, Bantalab, Muthi, frequent power cut has become a routine. “The department is not following its own curtailment schedule and is resorting to unscheduled cuts”, Vir Saraf, a resident of Sidhra claimed.
 Some believe that the power curtailments in un-metered areas had been increased from 8 to 12 hours only to provide electricity in the metered zone. “Why should we face problem for the fault of department”, Ravi Kumar a resident of Narwal said adding, “The department has failed to install meters in our area and is thus resorting to unscheduled power cuts”.
 The erratic power supply has also affected the water supply in the city areas.  “Its third day since we have received water and keeping in view the temperature its getting very difficult for the entire locality”, said Hari Krishan, of Basant Nagar, Janipur.
 In many areas continuous power cuts has put people in discomfort as the temperature and the humid conditions was making life miserable.
 However, the department is expressing its inability to provide regular power supply in view of the shortage in the supply and increasing demand. “It has become necessary to enforce power cuts as the demand is highest in the state during past few one month”, Chief Engineer PDD Jammu, Muhammad Qasim said adding, “We have no other option, but to resort to unscheduled cuts”.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST