Huge electricity savings through smart metering in Srinagar

Srinagar: The Electricity Department has achieved a new feat by connecting many densely populated areas of Srinagar city like Mahjoor Nagar with smart meters in a record time. The department has succeeded in controlling the electricity deficit of nearly 70% in metered areas. However the locals have accused the department that despite public cooperation, the department has failed to provide uninterrupted power as promised. According to the details, PDD Kashmir i.e. PDCL took steps for cabling and smart metering of Mehjoor Nagar Kursu Padshahi Bagh, one of the densely populated area some time ago. The employees of the department achieved their 100% target in just 8 months. It is learned that the old transmission lines have been removed from all the colonies of Mehjoor Nagar and the entire area has now been switched to smart meters, resulting in about 70% electricity savings and 60% increase in revenue as fee. Sources said that the daily consumption of electricity in the area used to be 600 amperes which is now reduced to only 200 amperes. Inspector JKPDCL Mohammad Shafi, posted in the area, said that he faced many difficulties during smart metering, even situations like law and order issues emerged at many times, but the problems were solved with the help of local community representatives. Muhammad Shafi Chichi said that the local
people were expressing various concerns, for which many steps were taken under the leadership of Junior Engineer Mohsin Bashir. He said that his field staff, especially Farooq Ahmed and Abdul Qayyum, worked at the ground level to create awareness among the public, as a result of which the company’s employees faced as little resistance as possible. Muhammad Shafi Chichi also appreciated the efforts of Executive Engineer Abdul Rauf Butt and Assistant Executive Engineer Abid Hussain who guided the field staff at difficult stages. Muhammad Shafi said that no transformer was damaged in the area during this winter and no incident of transmission line collapse occurred, due to which the department for the first time in the last several decades, avoided another big losses on this count. Meanwhile, the local people have expressed their satisfaction over the improved electricity situation after smart metering, but at the same time expressed their displeasure over the lack of continuous availability of electricity. Javed Ahmad Malik, the former president of the management committee of Muhammadiyah Masjid , told this correspondent that the voltage of electricity has increased
significantly and people are extending support to the department in paying the electricity fee timely, but so far there is no word to provide electricity to the people round the clock. He urged the administration and officers of the department to take immediate steps in this regard so that people are not disappointed. Mohammad Faisal Khan told this correspondent that the LG administration and the employees of the electricity department deserve applause for this achievement of power department, but if steps are not taken to provide continuous electricity to the area, it will be complete injustice to the people. Meanwhile, the Masjid Intizamia has thanked the officials of the concerned department for improving the overall power situation in the area and has requested them to show generosity in solving the minor problems of the people in this regard. PDD Circle Rajbagh Executive Engineer Abdul Rauf Butt told this correspondent that his department has laid down some rules for uninterrupted power supply. He said that if Mehjoor Nagar also adheres to the rules set in this regard, then the area will definitely be provided with uninterrupted electricity. Engineer Abdul Rauf Butt appealed the people to cooperate for smart metering and cabling for public interest so that better results are obtained.