Power crisis hits transformer repair services in Kashmir
The ongoing power crisis in Kashmir has effected the repair and maintenance of transformers, essential components of the power distribution system.
Image for illustration purposes.
Kashmir, Srinagar: The ongoing power crisis in Kashmir has effected the repair and maintenance of transformers, essential components of the power distribution system.
Kashmir is grappling with poor electricity supply. With domestic consumers subjected to the major hours without electricity supply, commercial connections too rue the erratic supply of power. This is happening despite the electricity department issuing its curtailment schedule for the winter season. Transformer repairing firms said their losses have accumulated to more than 50% this season due to the lack of proper electricity.
“The power supply is very poor which has affected our repairing work. Our work entirely depends on electricity without which we can’t do anything. For the last two months, our losses have gone up to 50 percent,” said Jalal-ud-din Wani, president of Kashmir Transformer Repair Association.
The association is functioning under Small Scale Industrial Units (SSIUs), a private body working in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Industries and Commerce Department. As per Wani, currently 25 units of transformer repair services are functioning in the valley. These units use generators as an alternative electricity source, which increases transformer repair costs. Wani said these 25 services manage to repair only 20 transformers a day due to the lack of electricity.
“The smooth supply of electricity helps us to repair maximum transformers. Right now we can repair only 20 transformers a day which is very low compared to the number of repairs we used to have during this season,” he added. The Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) said that transformer repairing units were among the most hit industries due to the lack of electricity this season.
Source: Kashmir Observer