Bandipore, Nov 26: With the onset of winter this north Kashmir district is facing severe power crisis as most of the villages are facing power cuts for nearly 16 hours daily, while low voltage prevents alternatives like inverters from being recharged.
 Most villages in the district, particularly Nowgam, Madvan, Hajin, Inderkot, Ajas, Arin, Sumlar, Chekrispora, Aheimsharief, Aloosa, Mangnipora, Nadihal, Qiulmuqam and Khenus Block, are reeling under darkness. “These villages do not get power supply for several hours at a stretch. If they get it the voltage is so low that illuminated bulbs are no better than candles,” locals told Greater Kashmir. 
 “We are among the worst affected. The entire Arin is getting low voltage. It is so low that it is not even enough to recharge the battery of mobile phones, what to talk of operating any electrical appliance,” said Ghulam Mahiudin Sarpanch Halqa Arin ‘A’
 Terming the present power scenario in Bandipore town as “extremely grave,” ex-minister and senior Congress leader Usman Majeed said government should take immediate steps to reform the power system in the town as people are paying hefty electric bills.
 I urge the Chief Minster Omar Abdullah to look into the matter and resolve the power crisis forthwith. 
 Talking to Greater Kashmir a senior officer of the Power Development Department said, “We receive many complaints from the residents but we are helpless.  The current crisis is due to less generation of power in the state.”
 District Magistrate Manzoor Ahmed Lone said they were trying their level best to overcome the crisis.
 “We cannot do much unless we get more supply,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST