Authorities in north Kashmir’s Kupwara are planning to introduce cabling and metering to improve electricity distribution besides grid expansions to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the district.
The Power Development Department (PDD) official said that the government has undertaken cabling and metering projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Sogam and other areas of Lolab to bridge the gaps.
He said the implementation of modern cabling infrastructure and accurate metering systems will reduce power losses, enhance monitoring, and ensure more reliable power distribution.
In Lolab, the primary issue stems from a gap between the demand and supply capacity. Currently, five receiving stations in the Lolab constituency supply power with a combined capacity of 61.5 MVA, equivalent to approximately 53 MW. However, the recorded unrestricted load demand is around 65 MW, leading to unscheduled power cuts, official said.
In addition to distribution improvements, the Arampora Grid Sub-station, which has a capacity of 120 MVA and often faces overload issues, is set to undergo augmentation. The capacity will be upgraded to 150 MVA within the current year, thereby preventing frequent overloads and distress power cuts.
The official anticipates that this upgrade will provide significant relief to residents of Kupwara district, including Lolab, by ensuring a more stable power supply.
Official incharge added that the government has included a new 50 MVA Grid Station in Lolab in the transmission plan of JKPTCL (Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited). Upon its completion and commissioning, the transformation capacity in the district will witness a substantial increase, catering to future demand growth, he said—(KNO)
