Asif Malik
Srinagar, Jan 13 (KNS): The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has inducted its first fleet of specialized truck-mounted underground cable fault locators, marking a significant technological upgrade for the Kahsmir's power infrastructure.
Speaking exclusively to the Kashmir News Service (KNS), KPDCL Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad Shah detailed the strategic initiative aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply, particularly in critical tourist and urban centres.
MD Shah underscored the necessity of transitioning from overhead power lines to an underground cable network. "The existing overhead network is vulnerable to frequent faults, especially during harsh weather conditions like snowfall and falling trees, which disrupt supply," he stated. He highlighted that the Government of India has already supported this shift, with underground cabling completed in areas like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and under the Smart City Project in Srinagar.
"While an underground system significantly reduces fault frequency, locating and rectifying any faults that do occur requires specialized technology," the MD explained. To address this gap, the department floated tenders last financial year and has now successfully procured the advanced fault-locating vehicles for the current financial year 2025-26.
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Outlining the deployment plan, MD Shah said, "One vehicle will be permanently deployed in the Tangmarg area for the Gulmarg circuit, and another in Pahalgam. Further, these units will be strategically utilized during the annual Amarnath Yatra in areas with underground networks."
He said that this procurement is part of a broader, progressive strategy. "We are actively working to acquire more such vehicles for Srinagar city. As we progressively convert more overhead lines to underground cables, these fault locators will become essential. Our network will expand underground, and simultaneously, our capacity to maintain it will be strengthened with this equipment."
Hailing the move as a "first-of-its-kind in Kashmir," Shah emphasized the importance of capacity building. "Staff training is paramount. We have already completed comprehensive training for our technicians, including tests, trials, and demonstrations. Our staff is now fully capable of operating this equipment. Their technical competencies have been enhanced," he said.
Terming it a "great achievement for the power department," the Managing Director expressed confidence that this technological intervention will play a crucial role in ensuring a stable and uninterrupted power supply for the region. (KNS)