“Frequent, prolonged power cuts across Kashmir have triggered public angers in the peak summer and tourist season. The The ongoing disruptions have caused widespread public distress, paralyzed local businesses, and severely impacted the hospitality sector.”
Frequent and prolonged power cuts in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir have once again emerged as a major public concern, causing widespread inconvenience to residents in both metered and non-metered areas. At a time when the city is grappling with intense summer heat and a growing influx of tourists, the worsening electricity situation has become more than just an inconvenience—it is now a serious civic crisis demanding urgent attention. This summer, Srinagar has witnessed unusually high temperatures and persistent heatwave-like conditions, making uninterrupted electricity a necessity rather than a luxury. Fans, coolers, refrigeration, water pumps, and essential home appliances have become critical for daily survival. Yet, repeated unscheduled power cuts are leaving people helpless, especially during the hottest hours of the day and late at night when electricity is needed most. Residents in metered areas are particularly frustrated. Many consumers are paying substantial electricity bills based on actual usage, expecting better service and more reliable supply in return. Instead, they continue to face the same prolonged outages as before. This has led to growing resentment among consumers who question the logic of high billing without quality service delivery. For them, metering was supposed to improve accountability and efficiency, but the ground reality tells a different story. The situation in non-metered areas is equally troubling. While such areas are often cited for higher transmission losses or poor revenue collection, the burden of power cuts falls on ordinary households, many of whom are not responsible for systemic inefficiencies. Students preparing for examinations, elderly residents struggling with health issues, and small shopkeepers trying to sustain their livelihoods are all paying the price. The impact of these outages becomes even more severe during a heatwave. Power cuts disrupt water supply as electric pumps fail to function, leaving many neighborhoods with both electricity and water shortages. Food stored in refrigerators begins to spoil, medicines requiring cold storage become vulnerable, and families—especially children and senior citizens—face unbearable discomfort in overheated homes. The economic consequences are also significant. Small businesses, bakeries, internet cafes, restaurants, and workshops depend heavily on a stable power supply. Every prolonged outage translates into financial losses, reduced productivity, and growing uncertainty. In a city where many families depend on daily earnings, even a few hours without electricity can affect household incomes.
“Temporary and reactive measures are no longer enough for Srinagar’s power supply; electricity is a basic public necessity critical to homes, healthcare, businesses, and tourism. Amid rising temperatures and the peak tourist season, the authorities must urgently modernize infrastructure, optimize load management, and ensure transparent communication for all consumers. Treating reliable power as a top priority is essential to avoid public anger and prevent economic and social decline in the Valley.”
Another critical aspect often overlooked is tourism. Srinagar remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, especially during summer. Thousands of visitors arrive to experience the beauty of Dal Lake, Mughal gardens, and the pleasant climate of Kashmir. Tourism is the backbone of the local economy, supporting hotels, houseboats, transport operators, restaurants, and handicraft businesses. However, frequent power cuts risk damaging the city’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination. Visitors staying in hotels, guest houses, and houseboats expect basic comfort, including electricity, cooling, lighting, and internet connectivity. Repeated outages not only inconvenience tourists but also create negative impressions that can impact future tourism. In an era of instant online reviews and social media, poor infrastructure can quickly harm the image of a destination. What worsens public frustration is the lack of communication from the authorities. Power cuts often occur without prior notice, leaving residents and businesses completely unprepared. Whether the outages are due to load management, infrastructure faults, or maintenance work, timely communication remains essential. The absence of clear updates fuels anger and distrust. The larger issue points toward systemic shortcomings in planning and infrastructure. Aging transmission systems, overloaded feeders, inadequate maintenance, and increasing summer demand continue to expose weaknesses in the power distribution network. Temporary measures and reactive responses are no longer sufficient. Electricity today is an essential public service that powers homes, hospitals, businesses, education, and tourism. Whether consumers are in metered or non-metered areas, they deserve reliable supply and fair treatment. The authorities must act decisively to upgrade infrastructure, improve load management, and establish a transparent communication system. The people of Srinagar are not asking for luxury—they are asking for a basic necessity. Amid rising temperatures and peak tourist season, reliable electricity must become a priority. Continued inaction will only deepen public anger and undermine both quality of life and economic growth in the Valley.
