Power restored to essential services, others still face dark night

Srinagar, Mar 15 (UNI) Working against all odds in sub-zero temperature, the Power Development Department (PDD) restored power supply to almost all essential services and some localities in the city.

However, people in most of the areas in the Kashmir valley continued to face dark and chilly nights for the forth day as the transmission lines and electric poles uprooted due to heavy snowfall are yet to be repaired.

Hundreds of electric poles were uprooted after the Kashmir valley, including the summer capital, Srinagar, experienced two to five feet of snowfall on March 12-13.

Transmission lines to different receiving stations were also snapped after trees fell on them due to snowfall. However, officials have claimed that main transmission lines to many stations have been restored.

Electric supply to common people in most parts of the city and other major towns in the valley still looks a distant dream as hundreds of poles remained uprooted and transmission lines snapped.

It was a total dark last night in the entire city with minimum temperature dipping to minus 1.6 degree.

During a high level meeting yesterday, the Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad was told by the Chief Engineer Power that all major supply trunk lines and grid station have been charged in time and there is no shortage of power in the valley.

However, the consumers are still facing shortage of power because of the strike by the power employees union, he was informed.

The Chief Minister advised the power authority to take all necessary measures so that the striking employees join their duties without causing any inconveniene to the public at this crucial juncture.

He visited Bemina Grid Station, inspected various units and also took stock of power restoration position.

He was informed that restoration operation for power supply was in full swing and 100 per cent restoration will be ensured shortly.

UNI