Electricity Finally Arrives, Igniting Joy and Celebration
Suhail Khan
Gurez, Nov. 26: The Gurez valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district is now basking in the glow of electricity after nearly 75 years of darkness. The long-awaited moment arrived with the completion of the Bandipora-Gurez transmission line project, executed by the Jammu Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited.
Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Despatch over the phone about the scene of jubilation as the first light bulb illuminated the village.
They said the Power Development Department employees, who brought this gift of electricity, were greeted with dancing and singing from the locals. The joy was palpable, and the festivities seemed never-ending.
Aijaz Ahmad, a local resident, expressed his elation while taking to the Kashmir Despatch, calling it a dream come true for the residents. The entire valley is now aglow with lights, resembling a festival. People are overjoyed and experiencing true happiness, he said.
Abid Samoon, another local, shared his gratitude after years of patience. He spoke of the celebratory atmosphere that now envelops the valley, still finding it hard to believe that electricity is finally within reach after 75 years.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Har Ghar Bijli Yojna,” a local BJP leader credited the government for bringing the light of electricity to the remote areas that had been deprived of it for decades.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha described the day as historic for Gurez.
He took to the microblogging site Twitter now X and wrote, The introduction of grid connectivity to this pristine valley after the country’s independence is a momentous step forward. The recently energized 33/11 kV receiving station will benefit around 1500 consumers across various panchayats. The government aims to connect all the villages progressively in phases, he added.
KPDCL expressed their excitement, stating that Gurez now enjoys grid connectivity, overcoming the challenging terrain through the successful charging of the 33 kV Line and RSTN Dawar. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as it brings electricity to the only area in Kashmir that relies solely on diesel generators.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
