From Darkness to Light: Keran Villages 75-Year Wait Ends as Bulbs Illuminate
Kupwara, Jan 03 (WD):
On January 3, the villages of Kundiyan and Patroo in the remote Keran region along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kupwara district experienced a momentous occasion as they were connected to the electricity grid for the first time. The completion of two 250 KV (33kv/440 volts) substations under the Samirdh Seema Yojan (SSY) by KPDCL Electric Division Kupwara brought an end to the prolonged anticipation of the 1300 residents in these villages.
The inauguration ceremony, held yesterday, was officiated by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri. The electrification project, which marked a significant achievement, elicited joyous reactions from the villagers who gathered at Kundian to welcome Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan. The residents, overjoyed at witnessing electricity illuminating their homes, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made this milestone possible.
Deputy Commissioner Ayushi Sudan commended the collective dedication of Officers, Line men of PDD, local PRIs, and contractors, emphasizing that the entire project was executed in a mission-oriented manner. The electrification, completed in a record time of two months, was described as a transformative achievement at the grassroots level. Chairperson of BDC Keran, Mohammad Syed Khoja, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the District Administration, highlighting the remarkable transformation from relying on a decade-old Diesel Generator Set to now having reliable electric supply.
Locals, acknowledging the hard work of DC Kupwara and the District Administration, celebrated the electrification of their remote villages, envisioning improved living conditions and opportunities, especially for the education of their children. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Commanding Officer 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 substantial number of local residents.
