Peerzada Sayeed
Srinagar, March 5 : Tanghdar area of Kupwara district is reeling under darkness for nearly a month due to failure of authorities to repair power supply lines and poles damaged due to heavy snowfall last month.
21 electric poles and portion of 33 KV line from Zarla to Sadna Top were damaged due to heavy snowfall in the second week of February, local residents told GNS.
They said the PDD authorities took no action despite being apprised of the problems people of the area were facing due to lack of electricity.
Mohammad Ashraf Awan, Assistant Engineer PDD Tanghdar Division, told GNS that the department will restore electricity to the area as soon as the Chowkibal-Tanghdar road is thrown open for traffic.
The road is also closed for the last two months now due to snowfall, triggering a shortage of essential commodities, medicines and baby food.
“The continuous road blockade has cut off Tangdar and Karnah from the rest of the state. We are facing tremendous difficulties due to acute shortage of medicines, baby foods and essential supplies. The trucks carrying essential supplies are stuck which has resulted in wastage and losses”
The concerned agency Beacon has so far failed to restore the road for vehicular traffic despite their tall claims of having newly clearance machines, they said. The local residents said they had brought the issue into the notice of Army Commander of 104 brigade who, according to locals, expressed his inability “as it is an administrative matter.”
The local residents demand of installing electric towers so as to prevent the poles from frequent damage during snowfall.
Commissioner PDD said he has passed instructions to the Chief Engineer to take up the matter with PWD to have road cleared and ensure that poles are erected and power supply restored couple of days.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan told GNS that due to avalanche warning, the road clearance operation has been affected.
“Only five days back, supplies of essentials was sent to the area and if there is any scarcity of any item, supplies would be airlifted,” he said, adding, “if weather permits, the road would also be cleared tomorrow.”
Commissioner Secretary PDD, Hardesh Singh told GNS he has passed instructions to the Chief Engineer to take up the matter with PWD to have road cleared and ensure that poles are erected and power supply restored couple of days. (GNS)
