||Black and White Digital News||

||Tejveer Singh || May 25,2024 ||

The Jammu region has been grappling with relentless heatwaves and prolonged, unscheduled power cuts for over a fortnight, rendering life unbearable for its residents. Despite promises of uninterrupted power in areas with smart meters, the harsh reality paints a different picture.

*Heatwave and Power Crisis Intensify Misery*

For the past two weeks, the people of Jammu have been subjected to excruciating heat, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius and predictions indicating an imminent rise to 46 degrees. The oppressive heat is compounded by daily power outages, some lasting up to eight hours, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

*Broken Promises and Public Outrage*

The installation of smart meters by the Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) was supposed to alleviate these issues. However, consumers report no improvement, with power cuts persisting and exorbitant bills adding to their woes. This disconnect between promise and practice has fueled public resentment, leading to protests and road blockades in several areas.

*Protests Erupt Across the Region*

In Ghagwal, Samba district, residents blocked the road for hours, decrying the erratic power supply. Rishpal Verma, former Chairman of the OBC Development Board, voiced the frustration of many: “When authorities refuse to listen, we have no choice but to take to the streets.” The crisis is particularly dire in Ghagwal, Hiranagar, and Samba districts, where power outages are frequent and lengthy.

*Farmers’ Plight Worsens*

The power cuts have also hit farmers hard, especially those preparing to sow paddy crops. Water pumps lie idle without electricity, threatening the planting season. “We can’t irrigate our fields or sow seeds,” lamented local farmers, adding to the mounting stress as temperatures rise.

*Broader Impact on Daily Life*

The power crisis extends beyond rural areas. In Jammu’s urban centers, residents like social activist Rishpal Chowdhary from Bohri are enduring daily blackouts, affecting everyone but particularly the elderly and infirm. Complaints about inflated bills further exacerbate the public’s frustration.

*Hollow Assurances of Power Supply*

Shakti Dutt Sharma of the VHP criticized the government’s hollow promises regarding uninterrupted power in smart meter areas. Residents in Kathua, Bani, Billawar, and Basohli face up to 12-hour power cuts daily, disrupting both drinking water and irrigation supplies. Farmers Jagmohan and Balbir Singh from Kathua highlight the dual challenge of reduced canal water levels and non-functional irrigation pumps.

*Border Areas in Darkness*

The situation is dire in the border areas of Ramgarh and Mansar, where frequent power cuts disrupt daily life. Sharda Devi from Ramgarh describes the power as playing “hide and seek,” while Kirpal Singh from Mansar notes the government’s failure to honor its commitment to provide round-the-clock power to the pilgrimage site.

*Administrative Response*

In response to the escalating crisis, JPDCL’s Managing Director convened a meeting to address the surging domestic power demand. The Chief Engineer of JPDCL announced the procurement of an additional 200 MWs of power for the Jammu region, aiming to mitigate the shortages from tomorrow. Chief Engineer Manhar Gupta expressed hope that this measure would alleviate the distress caused by the heatwave and reduce the power cuts in both rural and urban areas.

*Conclusion*

As Jammu residents brace for even higher temperatures, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. The region’s struggle with heat and power shortages underscores the urgent need for a reliable solution, as the promises of technology and governance are put to the test under the blazing sun.