Bustling fish market witnessed chaos and panic, shopkeepers demand probe
Inayat Qayoom
Baramulla: Shopkeepers of bustling fish market of Baramulla town staged strong protest against Power Development Department for allegedly placing substandard electric cables during installation of smart meters in the market when huge electric short circuit and sparking created chaos and panic.
The shopkeepers had narrow escape and a significant fire disaster was narrowly averted after short circuit. The incident has raised concerns about the quality of cables used in the electric projects of Government of India for funding the smart metering and cabling projects through schemes like PMDP (Prime Minister’s Development Package) and RDSS (Rural Distribution System Strengthening).
Protesting shopkeepers said, “After installation of smart meters in this the famous fish market of Barmaulla town, the substandard cables caught fire twice so far due to which many shops, signboards, and merchandise suffered damage. Thankfully, no casualties happened but the potential for a major tragedy has ignited a wave of concern among the affected shopkeepers.”
Expressing their discontent, shopkeepers have demanded an immediate investigation and the formation of a committee to determine how substandard cables made their way into the ambitious smart metering and cabling project. Many are pointing fingers at the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) for its role in installing the controversial cables.
The market houses various jewelry and gold ornaments shops, a goldsmith Zahoor Ahmad Zonga said that the smart metering initiative was aimed at reducing Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses in power sector in Jammu and Kashmir besides the installation of smart meters will help in curbing illegal hooking by consumers, significantly reducing technical losses.
Pertinently, the Government of India is funding the smart metering and cabling projects through schemes like PMDP and RDSS worth Rs 800 crore which have been allocated under the RDSS scheme for ongoing works in Baramulla, two parts of Srinagar, and Kupwara, with additional works expected to be assigned soon.
Despite the government’s claims of success, protests against the smart metering initiative continue, particularly in Srinagar. The incident of the cable fire has added fuel to the ongoing debate, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and a reassessment of the entire smart metering project in different areas including rural villages.
Recently, protests also broke out in Sheeri and other areas where people demanded proper infrastructure for installation of smart meters, however, PDD department, according to consumers, is installing smart meters on decaying electric poles having dangling electric lines.
When contacted Assistant Executive Engineer (Exn) Power Development Department (PDD) Baramulla Yasir Kakroo, he confirmed that cable was damaged which has been installed by Projects Division.
“The matter is being looked into as smart metering and cabling project is being done by project division.”