Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Power Development Department and called for accelerated modernization to ensure reliable and efficient electricity supply across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting focused on loss reduction, infrastructure upgrades and financial sustainability of the sector. The CM directed officers to ensure timely completion of key projects and to implement consumer-centric reforms.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, ACS PDD Ashwini Kumar, ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, MD JPDCL Gurpal Singh, MD KPDCL Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Chief Electrical Inspector Sanjay Sharma and other senior officers of JKTPCL and PDD.
During the presentation, it was informed that J&K has made significant progress under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) with projects worth over ₹5,700 crore under execution. Of these, works worth nearly ₹4,700 crore related to loss reduction have largely been awarded.
Officers said metering reforms are expected to improve billing efficiency, reduce losses and empower consumers through transparent energy usage.
The meeting also reviewed progress on loss reduction works including installation of aerial bunched (AB) cables, feeder segregation, augmentation of distribution transformers, underground cabling and strengthening of the distribution network. It was informed that several districts have recorded substantial progress with many packages nearing completion.
Reviewing the financial health of the sector, the CM noted a significant improvement in revenue realization over the past few years. The gap between power purchase cost and revenue realization has narrowed due to better billing and collections.
Billing efficiency has improved from 56 per cent in FY 2021-22 to 77 per cent in FY 2025-26, while overall AT&C losses have declined drastically during the same period. The ACS-ARR gap has also reduced significantly, reflecting improved financial sustainability of power utilities.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the impact of reduced hydro power generation this summer due to low water availability, which has increased dependence on power procurement from the energy exchange during peak hours. Officers briefed him on measures being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply despite seasonal challenges.
Stressing the need to maintain reform momentum beyond RDSS, the CM directed the department to closely monitor project execution, remove bottlenecks and improve accountability at every level.
He emphasized expanding AB cable coverage, strengthening the transmission network and leveraging new technologies to improve reliability and reduce system losses. He also called for focused efforts to improve consumer services while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Proposals for additional investments were also discussed, including expansion of AB cable networks, critical transmission projects, battery energy storage systems and rooftop solar initiatives aimed at improving grid stability and providing reliable electricity in remote and border areas.
The meeting further reviewed electrification works in uncovered habitations, ongoing transmission projects, feeder-wise power curtailment, tariff proceedings for FY 2026-27 and other interventions to modernize the sector.
Reiterating that reliable and affordable electricity remains central to the government’s development agenda, the Chief Minister directed the department to adopt a results-oriented approach to build a modern, efficient and financially sustainable power sector for Jammu and Kashmir.(GNS)