Javed Rana reviews winter preparedness with JPDCL

Jammu: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday reviewed the winter preparedness Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited especially in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal Region of Jammu division.
The meeting was attended by Ch. Muhammad Yasin, MD JPDCL, Chief Engineer PDD and other senior officers.
The meeting held threadbare deliberations and discussions over the winter preparedness of the JPDCL for meeting power supply requirements during the winter season particularly in the areas that remain snow bound and upper reaches of the Pir Panjal Region and Chenab Valley.
While chairing the meeting, Javed Rana directed the officers to put in place a foolproof mechanism to ensure that the upper and far-flung areas which receive snowfall do not face frequent interruptions and outage.
The meeting primarily focused on the winter preparedness of PDD including availability of buffer stock of transformers, electric poles to ensure hassle free supply of electricity to the consumers.
He also directed that owing to snowfall and other climatic vagaries, wooden poles in these regions get damaged frequently leaving people without electricity for days.
He said that measures have to be taken for replacement of wooden so that people don’t suffer any inconvenience.
He directed the concerned to ensure the availability of buffer stock of transformers at the Electric Division so that same could be dispatched to the vulnerable areas and upper reaches for replacement of damaged transformers.
Rana stressed on the proactive approach to be adopted by the department and said no stone should be left unturned on the aspect of winter preparedness.
He asked the concerned to keep a clear curtailment schedule in place for the winters and give it wide publicity so that people come to know well in advance. He further asked the officers that no unscheduled power cuts should take place.
During the meeting, the minister also sought details about the status of un-electrified tribal villages and said that steps have to be taken for their electrification.
During the meeting, demands of people from particular areas for establishment of PDD mini-workshop also came up for discussion.