Five villages in Tulail tehsil of Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district are reeling under darkness for the past three months after a generator supplying electricity to the villages developed a snag, locals said Sunday.
The villages deprived of electricity include Buglinder, Sardaab, GG Sheikh, Khortun and Tatrun.
“Two generator sets had developed fault months back. Though the tehsil Badugam’s generator set was repaired a few weeks ago, other villages are yet to get electricity as the part that developed fault remains to be installed,” said Wasim Ahmad, a resident of Tulail.
Entire Gurez Valley depends on diesel-set generated power supply for a few hours while Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDCL) is working on a project to get Gurez Valley connected with grid stations in Bandipora for regular electricity.
Also, on special representation, Gurez Valley is getting seven hours of generator-based electricity from this winter.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez, Mudasir Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the part which had developed fault was removed and lifted to Bandipora and repaired in Srinagar.
However, he said as the helicopters were not able to cross into Gurez since January 25, the repaired part was lying in Bandipora.
“It has been over 10 days since the helicopter hasn’t arrived in Gurez Valley. As and when the chopper arrives, the repaired part will be installed,” the SDM said.
The Bandipora-Gurez road continues to remain closed since ending December 2020.
According to the officials, weather in Gurez is sunny but pilots have been facing problems in crossing into Gurez Valley near the Razdan Top at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet where weather is still adverse.