SRINAGAR: The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has assured an uninterrupted 24-hour power supply to Katra following a meeting with representatives from the Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra (CTTIK), the latter said in a statement.
A delegation led by CTTIK President Raj Kumar Padha and Secretary Atul Sharma met with JPDCL Chief Engineer KK Thappa to discuss power supply concerns affecting the town’s hospitality sector. The delegation emphasised that a reliable electricity supply is crucial for the smooth functioning of hotels and other businesses catering to the large number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine annually.
The delegation also raised concerns about electricity billing under the KVAH tariff structure, arguing that its retrospective implementation contradicts the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) order, which mandates a prospective application from November 2022. They called for an immediate rectification of the bills to align with the regulatory directive.
Additionally, the delegation sought urgent augmentation of Katra’s power distribution infrastructure, including the provision of LT cables, transformer cables, and the upgradation of overloaded transformers. They also requested a power amnesty scheme for commercial consumers, similar to past schemes granted to domestic users, to address excessive billing concerns.
Chief Engineer KK Thappa assured the delegation of his full cooperation and support. CTTIK expressed gratitude for the constructive dialogue and expressed hope for timely resolutions to the issues raised.
