Tarathpora Kupwara Inhabitants Express Anguish Over Pesky Power Cuts

Altaf Bhadana

Kupwara, Nov 26: The residents of Tarathpora Ramhall and nearby villages are reeling under the burden of severe power shortages, disrupting their lives and creating an atmosphere of frustration and despair. As the winter chill deepens, the erratic electricity supply has left homes in darkness, impacting education, health, and livelihoods.

With the examination season already set in, the student community is among the worst affected. Parents are distressed as their children struggle to prepare for exams without basic lighting. “How can we expect our children to excel when they are forced to study under candlelight in this modern era?” questioned a worried parent.

The crisis nonetheless extends beyond education, as for those dealing with medical emergencies, the stakes are even higher.

A local resident narrated his ordeal, sharing that his critically ill father requires oxygen at home, but the unreliable power supply has forced him to rent a generator. “I spend ₹2,000 daily on rent and another ₹500 on petrol just to keep my father alive,” he lamented.

Businesses and daily routines are also in disarray. Shopkeepers complain of losses due to their inability to use electrical appliances, while homemakers describe the challenges of running households without proper lighting and heating. The biting cold of the winter nights only exacerbates the plight of people.

Residents allege negligence by the Power Development Department (PDD), which they accuse of failing to maintain a consistent power supply despite collecting hefty electricity bills.

“If the government promises a fixed schedule of power supply and cuts, why do we receive only five minutes of electricity in an entire three-hour slot?” asked an exasperated local.

The intermittent supply has also caused damage to electrical appliances due to sudden surges and outages. “We cannot afford to keep replacing devices when the power itself is so expensive and unreliable,” said another resident.

The power crisis is not only an inconvenience but also a source of economic strain. Families are forced to spend beyond their means on candles, emergency lights, and alternative power sources, deepening financial hardships in the already economically strained region.

Anguished residents have collectively appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, the Chief Minister, and the Executive Engineer of the PDD, urging immediate action to resolve their issues. “We are not asking for luxuries; we just need a steady power supply to live our lives with dignity,” said a community representative.

This situation underscores a larger systemic failure to address the basic infrastructure needs of rural areas.

While urban centers enjoy relatively stable power, remote villages like Tarathpora remain neglected. Promises of development and better services often fall flat, leaving residents to bear the brunt of inefficiency and lack of accountability.

As the harsh winter grips the region, residents fear the situation will worsen without immediate intervention. For now, their homes and lives remain cloaked in darkness, as they await the light of hope and action from authorities.