Jammu, Aug 28: Even as several areas of Jammu remain waterlogged following the recent floods, locals are bracing for another challenge as the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has announced a major power shutdown in multiple districts.
According to an official communication from the Chief Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL, a two-day emergency shutdown of the 220 kV double-circuit Barn–Kishenpur transmission line has been scheduled from August 29 to 30, between 6 AM and 6 PM. The move is aimed at detaching an extremely critical tower at location number 31 and carrying out stringing work of newly erected towers numbered 31 and 31/1 between tower locations 30 and 32.
The work is being executed by the EPC contractor of NHAI as part of the ongoing four-lane expressway project between Sidhra and Ban village under the Bharatmata Pariyojna.
Officials said that the shutdown will curtail nearly 350 MW of load, affecting Grid Station Canal, Pounichack, Katra, Reasi, Rajouri, Daraba, Jourian and Barn. Power supply in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, and parts of Jammu and Katra, along with the Railway Traction system, will remain disrupted. Authorities, however, maintained that supply to essential installations would be restored in a phased manner to minimize inconvenience.
The timing of the shutdown has drawn concern from people already struggling with flood-related hardships. Large portions of Jammu, including low-lying areas near Gandhi Nagar, Chatha, Dogra Chowk and Tawi Bridge, continue to reel under inundation. Locals fear that prolonged power cuts will hamper ongoing rescue and relief operations, disrupt water pumping, and create further difficulties for affected families.
Senior officials insisted that the shutdown was unavoidable due to the urgency of shifting utilities along the expressway project corridor. “This work is extremely critical for safety and stability of the transmission network. We are ensuring that essential services like hospitals, water supply schemes and emergency stations face minimum disruption,” an official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
As Jammu continues to battle the twin crises of flood damage and power disruption, people have urged authorities to complete the works within the stipulated time and ensure uninterrupted supply at least in the worst-hit areas.
Coustery: KNT
