In his first meeting as chairman of the administrative council, Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu on December 3 ordered audit of power transmission towers in Jammu and Kashmir. The order comes after the unseasonal snowfall on November 7 led to the collapse of at least ten towers on the 220 KV Zainakote-Aulesteng line which was planned to be commissioned this month, pushing the entire valley into darkness. The work on the crucial line started in 2006 and it was supposed to be completed within some years. However, the lethargic approach of the administration coupled with bureaucratic red-tapism and challenges of working in hilly terrain have ensured that the project misses no one or two but several deadlines. Even 14 years after work started on the transmission line, there is no surety that it will be completed at all. According to an official statement, while reviewing the power scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, officials told the LG that the crucial line will be commissioned by February end. At its peak, the unrestricted demand of Jammu and Kashmir regions is 1024 MWs and 1490 MWs respectively. However, due to inherent flaws of the system and outdated infrastructure, the PDD is able supply 819 MWs out of the average yearly restricted demand of 938 MWs in Jammu region. In Kashmir, against the restricted demand of 1328 MWs, the PDD provides 1140 MWs. The 220 KV Zainakote-Aulesteng line will add 320 MVA to the system which is expected to bring much needed relief in Kashmir region, especially during winter. With the commissioning of the line, the official spokesperson said the power curtailment will come down substantially. But it is not clear if the line will see the light of the day at all. The power supply in the entire Kashmir region was disrupted badly in Kashmir with the entire load on the evening of November 7 plummeting to 30 MWs. The situation is not going to get any better in coming days. If the government lives up to its promise of February ending deadline for Zainakote-Aulesteng line, we will still have reeled under three months of uncertainty amid bouts of perpetual darkness and relentlessly cruel winter cold. The real question is whether the new administration breaks away from the traditions of the past and actually delivers on its promise. Come February and we will find out. Till then, watch this space!