Rajouri faces 11-hr power outage, locals out on streets

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, January 28

Long unscheduled power cuts have added to the miseries of Rajouri district residents, who are already facing bone chilling cold.

Besides official power curtailment of eight hours by the power development department in a day, locals are also suffering due to unscheduled power cuts of 4 to 6 hours.

On Sunday, the power supply remained off for more than 11 hours in the entire district due to urgent repair of the 132-KV Barn-Rajouri-Poonch transmission line.

“Severe power crisis has hit normal life in the entire district. The worst sufferers are students, who are preparing for their final examination scheduled for February,” said Yogesh Sharma, a social and political activist.

On Monday, residents of Manoor Gala in Kotranka tehsil blocked the Rajouri-Budhal road, alleging power and transportation shortage.

“Locals, especially students, are suffering as the department is supplying power from midnight to 4 am only, which is of no use to us. Senior officials concerned have been approached several times but to no avail,” a student said.

Imtiaz Ahmed, tehsildar, rushed to the spot and assured the protesters of taking up the matter with the deputy commissioner, executive engineer and assistant executive engineer concerned of the power department.

“When any senior government functionary visits Rajouri, the power department officials remain on toes. However, when locals face problems due to unscheduled power cuts, they remain in a deep slumber,” said Haqeeat Singh, a local.