SRINAGAR: As winter approaches, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has stocked an additional 472 kilolitres of high-speed diesel (HSD) to power 25 diesel generators in the remote villages of Gurez in Bandipora District. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the severe winter months for 22 unelectrified villages in the Tulail and Kanzwalwan areas.
A KPDCL spokesperson revealed that the department projected a requirement of 945.9 KL of HSD to maintain power supply in Gurez this winter. To meet this demand, KPDCL has strategically stocked the additional 472 KL of diesel, supplementing the 262.4 KL already available in the region. This stockpile will help support the operation of diesel generators, providing a crucial power lifeline to these remote areas where harsh winter conditions often restrict movement and access.
The spokesperson further confirmed that KPDCL is prepared to replenish HSD supplies and any other essential materials as winter progresses to ensure continuous power for Gurez residents. This seasonal arrangement has been a lifeline for residents, who often face freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall that can isolate them from essential services.
However, KPDCL is also taking steps towards a permanent power solution for Gurez. The Corporation has floated two tenders to construct a 6.3 MVA 33/11 KV Receiving Substation and electrify over 2,600 households across Tulail and Kanzalwan under the Ministry of Power’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). This initiative, approved with a budget of Rs 50.15 crore, marks a shift towards sustainable power solutions and will ultimately phase out reliance on diesel generators.
Once complete, the grid connection will bring stable, year-round electricity to the region, ensuring that even the most remote households have access to modern energy. KPDCL’s commitment reflects a broader mission to close the energy gap in Kashmir’s hardest-to-reach areas, providing residents with reliable power to improve their quality of life and withstand the long winters ahead.
