JNM Journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
With the onset of summer in Jammu, concerns regarding a potential power crisis have begun to mount. Every year, as the heat intensifies, incidents of burnt-out transformers, overloading, tripping, and hours-long unscheduled power cuts in the city and its surrounding areas exacerbate the public’s distress. Amidst this, the Power Development Department has claimed to have made proactive preparations this time around. The department has stockpiled approximately 600 power transformers in advance at its central workshop in Narwal, ensuring that in the event of a breakdown, replacements can be deployed immediately so that residents are not left in the dark for extended periods.
The department states that during the summer months, the increased usage of air conditioners, coolers, and other electrical appliances places sudden and immense pressure on the power infrastructure. Consequently, transformers frequently burn out, disrupting the power supply for hours—and at times, even for days. To effectively tackle this recurring issue, a backup reserve has been established in advance this year.
According to officials, the moment a report regarding a faulty transformer is received from any locality, a new or refurbished transformer will be dispatched immediately from the Narwal workshop. Simultaneously, the repair work on damaged transformers will continue uninterrupted to ensure that the stock remains replenished and no shortages arise.
However, the general public argues that the problem is not limited solely to transformers burning out. In several parts of Jammu, daily unscheduled power cuts and frequent tripping are disrupting people’s daily routines. Residents point out that even a power outage lasting just two to three hours during the scorching heat becomes unbearable and causes significant distress. Furthermore, in many localities, the burden of unauthorized load and electricity theft is also placing immense strain on the power distribution system.
Swarn Singh, a resident of Gangyal, asserts that the department should not limit its preparations merely to replacing transformers; rather, it must also address the issues of daily tripping and power cuts with the utmost seriousness. Meanwhile, Karan Chib, a resident of Preet Nagar, observes that while grand claims are made every year ahead of the summer season, the true test will occur during the scorching heat of June, when temperatures are expected to soar as high as 45 degrees Celsius. Ram Murti Sharma, a resident of Nanak Nagar, noted that in previous years, replacing a transformer often took anywhere from 24 to 48 hours; however, if the department’s advance stock is indeed utilized efficiently this time around, residents could experience significant relief.
Senior officials from the Electricity Corporation state that their primary objective this time is to ensure “minimum downtime.” Departmental teams will remain on round-the-clock alert, and in the event of any technical fault, every effort will be made to restore power as quickly as possible. Additionally, an appeal has been issued to the public to use electrical appliances strictly within their sanctioned load limits in order to minimize instances of overloading.
The question now remains: will the people of Jammu truly find relief this summer, or—as has been the case in previous years—will a vast disparity once again emerge between the official claims and the actual reality on the ground?
