Srinagar, May 04: Following the devastating land subsidence incident in Ramban district on April 25th, 2024, the Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) has provided a comprehensive update on the region’s power infrastructure and supply status.
Despite the considerable challenges posed by the incident, emergency restoration efforts swiftly commenced by both PDD and PGCIL restoration teams. Initial reports indicated the outage of four vital transmission links, including two Double Circuit (D/C) transmission lines crucial for connecting the Kashmir Valley to the Northern Grid via the Peer Top route (Jawahar Tunnel). However, proactive measures, such as the existence of the 400 kV Samba (Jammu)-Amargarh (Kashmir) Transmission line, ensured uninterrupted power flow to the valley. Local power generation from Kashmir’s powerhouses further supplemented the supply, maintaining stability during the crisis.
Reminiscent of a similar incident over a decade ago, where a transmission line outage plunged the Kashmir valley into darkness for over 13 days, the current situation saw swift restoration efforts. As of the latest reports, restoration progress is underway, with one D/C transmission line recharged and another expected to be operational by mid-May 2024.
In addition to the land subsidence, adverse weather conditions damaged a tower of the 132 kV Chenani-Srinagar (CSTL) line, briefly disrupting power supply to the Tathar Grid. However, prompt restoration from alternate sources ensured minimal impact on the area’s power supply.
Despite the damage to distribution infrastructure, efforts were made to swiftly restore power to affected consumers, demonstrating the department’s commitment to service delivery. With the winter season concluded and demand gradually decreasing, the department has ensured a stable power supply to the valley, sourcing power from Central Generating Stations.
However, concerns were raised over rampant power theft, particularly mid-span hooking, which poses risks to the system’s integrity and leads to disruptions. The department has initiated an enforcement drive against power theft and emphasized the importance of timely payments by both generators and consumers to maintain uninterrupted service.
Modern interventions, including online monitoring systems and strict enforcement measures, aim to enhance service delivery and ultimately provide 24×7 power supply to all consumers.
Power Supply Resilient Amid Ramban Land Subsidence, Says JKPDD
