Padergund villagers suffer as PDD ‘repairs’ transformer five times in six months

Kupwara, Feb 26: Hajam Mohalla locality of Padergund village in Ramhaal block here has been plunged into darkness several times over the past six months as authorities try and fail to “repair” an outdated and faulty power transformer, local residents told media on Tuesday.

“They have tried to repair the transformer five times during past six months but to no avail,” a group of residents told media, adding the repeated absence of electricity is causing immense suffering to villagers particularly students.

“Instead of replacing the transformer which cannot bear the electricity load of the area, the PDD( Power Development Department) officials just keep repairing it without any success, ” the locals complained, accusing the PDD authorities and district administration of being indifferent to their woes.

They said the transformer was again repaired last week but soon after being installed, it again developed a snag, rendering it dysfunctional.

The residents said they approached the authorities several times and requested them to install a high capacity transformer in the locality as the existing transformer (63 KV) gets “damaged every now and then.”

“We are facing immense hardships in absence of electricity. We are unable to charge our mobile phones while appliances like refrigerators and iron are lying defunct,” Javid Ahmad, a local resident told media.

When contacted Chief Engineer Kashmir, Hashmat Qazi told media that he will look into the matter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)