No power cuts during Sehri, Iftar: Official

Srinagar, April 30: As the mercury rises, power supply in the Valley has seen a significant improvement with the Power Department resorting to negligible power cuts especially at the Sehri and Iftar time.

Chief Engineer Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Ajaz Ahmad Dar, said that almost 100 per cent of electricity has been restored during the  Sehri and Iftar time.

"There are no more power cuts across the Valley. In certain rural areas, we are witnessing 10 to 15 minutes of power cut once in a while, otherwise 100 per cent electricity has been restored across the Valley," Dar said.

On 8 April, Divisional Commissioner PK Pole in a meeting regarding the finalisation of arrangements for the ensuing month of Ramadan had directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to ensure continuous power supply during the peak times of Sehri and Iftari (early morning and evening).

Dar said during Sehri and Iftari time, the PDD is providing up to 1600 MGW of electricity without any interruption.

"Even though the weather has improved, we are still witnessing the requirement of 1900 MGWs. The rise in temperature will further improve the power scenario in the coming days," he said.

The PDD came under severe criticism after people expressed their resentment against the pesky power cuts in their respective areas during the start of Ramadan month.

At the onset of summer, the power development department was mulling to reduce 50 per cent power curtailment in the Valley.

As per the revised power schedule, the  non-metered areas are likely to witness 3 hrs power cut per day, while metered areas are likely to witness 1.5 hrs curtailment.

For winters, the power department had announced a five-hour power cut per day in metered areas and seven hours 30 minutes a day power cut in non-metered areas.