STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Two remote villages along the Line of Control on the Keran Sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday were electrified for the first time in 75 years of independence.
“In a historic moment, the residents of Kundiyan and Patroo villages in the Keran area of the Kupwara district experienced the joy of electricity for the first time in 75 years,” an official spokesman said.
He said the two 250-KV sub stations, set up under the Samridh Seema Yojna, were inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, V K Bhiduri.
The residents expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration which brought grid connectivity to the once-isolated communities, the spokesman said.
“Cheers and jubilation filled the air as lights illuminated their houses, marking the end of decades-long wait,” the spokesman added.
The electrification project was completed in a record two months by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Electric Division, Kupwara, he claimed.
Residents were ecstatic, they had strong reason to be happy, some even shrieked in joy on witnessing the electricity illuminating their houses, thanks to the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan.
Happiness of the villagers was evident, as they had gathered at Kundian to receive the Deputy Commissioner, who visited these villages to interact with locals.
DC on reaching Patroo and Kundian congratulated the people and PRIs for getting grid connectivity for the first time. She said that it is a job well done. Everything was done in mission mode. From Officers to Line men of PDD, Local PRIs and concerned contractors, all have contributed in timely completion of this electrification project which was handed over to people in a record time of two months. It is a big achievement and testimony of transformation down at the grassroots level as only two months ago approval and allocation of this project was made.
The DC further said that the road stretch from Dutt Bridge to Keran has been handed over to Beacon and work on it will be started. She said that by the end of this year all the villages of Keran will get saturated by the BSNL mobile network.
DC added Airtel and Jio companies will be roped in for providing and enhancing cell phone connectivity to the area.
Chairperson, BDC Keran, Mohammad Syed Khoja while expressing his gratitude to District Administration Kupwara said that District Administration led by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara deserves all the appreciation for getting the villages electrified in a short span of just two months. He said that for the residents here it is like a dream come true. We used to receive 2 to 3 hours of low voltage power through a decade old Diesel Generator Set (DG Set) which could hardly light up a bulb. We were using candles to lighten our homes. Now our children will study under electric lights and perform well.”
On the occasion, Locals hailing the efforts of DC Kupwara said the hard work of the District Administration has paid off and their remote villages have got electric supply.
Commanding Officer, 6 RR, Lt. Col Harshad Saini, OC Beacon, V.V Sharma, Tehsildar Keran, Omer Bashir, EXen PDD Javid Ahmad, AEE PDD, Latief, AEE, STD Sohail Nisar, PRIs and a large number of people of the area were present on the occasion.