Srinagar: As the valley wakes up to the first day of 2026 amidst freezing temperatures, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has implemented a revised power curtailment schedule effective from today, January 1, 2026.
In an effort to manage the peak winter load, the new schedule introduces a “Smart Curtailment” program, tying power supply hours directly to the installation of smart meters and area-wise revenue realization.
The New Schedule at a Glance
According to the notification issued by the Power Development Department (PDD), the city has been divided into categories based on metering status.
- Category A (Fully Smart-Metered Areas):
- Promise: These areas will see the least curtailment, with a schedule of 2 to 3 hours of power cuts in a 24-hour cycle, primarily during peak morning and evening hours.
- Areas: Includes Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderpora, and parts of Civil Lines.
- Category B (Partially Metered/Non-Smart Areas):
- Schedule: Residents in these areas will face a curtailment of 4 to 6 hours daily.
- Areas: Includes Downtown Srinagar, parts of Bemina, and outskirts.
- Category C (High Loss/Non-Metered Areas):
- Schedule: These areas will continue to have longer cuts, ranging from 7 to 8 hours per day.
What’s Different This Year?
A senior KPDCL official stated, “Starting January 1, 2026, our focus is on incentivizing honest consumers. Feeders with low Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses will get priority supply. We have also integrated our systems to reduce unscheduled distress cuts, which was a major complaint last winter.”
Public Reaction
The announcement has met with mixed reactions. “If they stick to the 2-hour schedule as promised for our smart-metered area, it will be a big relief for heating our homes,” said Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Sanat Nagar. Others in non-metered areas have expressed concern over the long cut durations during the harsh ‘Chilai Kalan’ period.
Important Reminders for Consumers
- Check Your Schedule: Consumers are advised to check their specific feeder’s schedule on the Official KPDCL Website or through their local sub-division offices.
- Judicious Use: PDD has appealed to consumers to use power judiciously and avoid using heavy heating appliances during peak hours (7 AM – 10 AM and 6 PM – 9 PM) to prevent feeder tripping.
- Report Faults: For any unscheduled cuts or technical faults, you can call the 24×7 Toll-Free Helpline: 1912.
FAQs
You can find the detailed area-wise PDF on the “Downloads” or “Public Notices” section of the KPDCL website.
The schedule depends not just on meter installation but also on the overall revenue collection from that feeder. If many households are not paying bills, the area remains in a higher curtailment category.
No, this is a winter-specific schedule for January and February 2026. It will be reviewed as the weather improves and demand decreases.
Disclaimer
The curtailment schedule is based on the official notification from KPDCL for January 2026. Actual supply may vary depending on real-time grid load and technical constraints.
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