Remote villages in Shopian get electricity for first time in 70 years

Raouf Dar

Srinagar July 19: People residing in villages of Dunaroo area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district are overjoyed after receiving electricity for the first time.

Various villages of Dunaroo in the far-flung area of Shopian in Keller Tehsil were without electricity even after over 70-years of India’s Independence.

However, for the first time, electricity made its way into the Dunaroo area. “We had never seen electricity in our life. We feel good that this remote area finally received the electricity,” Mohammad Aslam, a local told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

Another resident Mohammad Awan, an elderly person said these villages were without electricity since he was born. “We are happy now. Our homes have been lit up,” he said.

Earlier they used to eat under candle light. Some of the children used to study with the help of oil lamps and candles.

AEE PDD Shopian Farooq Ahmad said the remote area of Keller Shopian has been electrified under a centrally sponsored scheme Sahbhagya.

“We have installed five transformers and later commissioned them within seven days and power supply was given to these villages,” he told KINS.

Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – ‘Saubhagya’ a new scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2017. Under Saubhagya free electricity connections to all households (both APL and poor families) in rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided. (KINS)