Srinagar, Nov 11: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired a meeting to review the winter preparedness of PDD at SKICC, Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by MD, KPDCL, all chief engineers of PDD and Director Tourism, Kashmir.
On the occasion, Advisor took a detailed review of the winter preparedness of PDD including availability of buffer Stock of transformers, electric poles, exigency plan in view of heavy snowfall, condition of power transmission lines, power schedule and deployment of enforcement agency to check power theft and illegal hooking, seizure of illegal electric gadgets like electric heaters to ensure supply of electricity.
Meanwhile, the Advisor directed the concerned to ensure the availability of buffer stock of transformers at every Electric Division to cater the need in case of damage to transformers. He also directed Chief Engineers to conduct enforcement drives to check the electricity theft in their respective areas and asked them to reward the enforcement teams for good work.
Besides, he issued directions for all Deputy Commissioners to check on the sale of unauthorised electric gadgets particularly electric heaters.
Moreover, the Advisor directed PDD to loop in the Disaster Management Department and SDRF to provide the logistic support, manpower and other advanced equipment. Similarly, he asked PDD officers to prepare the contingency plan to rope in private players.
To ensure continuous supply of power to essential centers, the Advisor directed officers to keep electricity available at hospitals, Civil Secretariat, High Court and other essential service providing institutions.
While briefing the Advisor about the measures taken by the department, MD, KPDCL said that adequate measures have been taken by the department so that the general public does not suffer. He informed the meeting that the department is twenty percent much better prepared compared to the previous year.
He said that the preparing rate of power transformers has been enhanced to 60 per day while the same rate in the previous year was 40/day.
On the occasion, the Advisor was informed that all the weak points that popped up during the last year’s heavy snowfall were completely addressed in advance.
The officers present informed the meeting that the stock of transformer, poles and wires are enough available with all the six circle divisions. He was also informed that branch cutting along the Transmission lines have been completed in all the districts.
Regarding the power curtailment schedule, Advisor was apprised that the schedule has already been prepared and distributed to concerned officers and stations.
Also, Baseer Khan reviewed the status and progress of PDD works in the Gurez area, Magam, Delina and other locations.
During the meeting, the Director Tourism, Kashmir informed Advisor that the department is going to organise White-Christmas celebration on 25th of December and Snow carnival and New Year Carnival at Gulmarg.
He also informed that the Skiing training will be imparted to the youth.
Meanwhile, the Advisor was apprised by the Director Tourism that the influx of tourists is increasing and the tourism department is organizing various programs and road shows to attract more tourists.
While taking the review of power at tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places, Advisor Khan directed PDD officers to ensure the availability of power at these stations keeping in view the influx of tourists and conduct of snow sports.
Later, Advisor Khan visited the Transformer repairing Workshop at Electric Division, Basant Bagh, Srinagar to inspect the status of Workshop and process of repairing of Transformers. He also interacted with the engineers of the workshop.
