Kabul residents resent frequent power cuts

KABUL (Pajhwok): Many residents of Kabul are resentful of frequent power outages, calling for a viable solution to the issue.

The power utility, acknowledging the problem, says efforts are underway to implement a schedule to ensure a reliable electricity supply to consumers.

Pajhwok Afghan News interviewed residents of several areas across the capital, including Qala-i-Zaman Khan, Khoshal Khan, KartehParwan, Dasht-i-Barchi, Karte Naw, Darul Aman, Hotkhel, Paktiakot, Shahr-i-Naw, Qala-i-Fathullah, Bibi Mehro, Bagrami, Arzan Qimat, Taimani, Macro Ryan, Yakatoot, and Charahi Qambar.

Jamshid Amiri, a construction material seller in Shahr-i-Naw, shared his concerns over increased power cuts over the past month.

He explained, "Up until a month ago, power supply was stable, and outages were not so frequent. But since the weather has turned cold, power cuts have increased. There is no electricity at all in daytime and much of night, causing significant problems."

He hopes the outages will decrease as demand for electricity rises during the winter.

Rafiullah, a resident of Kart-i-Naw, also complained that in addition to the increase in outages, the electricity supply is weak and unusable.

Saeedullah Siddiqi, a resident of Bagrami, grumbled: "Outages have become much more frequent. In 24 hours, we have electricity only for four hours or so."

He noted the increased use of gas for heating homes had added to their burden, and regular electricity would make things easier for everyone, especially in the cold weather.

Jamshid, hailing from Chahar Qala, said: "We have electricity only for about one. The outages in our area are very frequent. When we need power, it’s unavailable.

“It usually comes at 11pm, but by then, it’s too late to use it. We run a butcher shop and need to keep meat in the freezer. If the power goes out, the meat goes rotten.”

He claimed over the past month and a half, power cuts had been frequent, whereas, in the summer, the issue was less severe. "Now we have to use one or two litres of fuel daily to run a generator."

Mahsa, a resident of Dasht-i-Barchi, also complained of growing loadshedding across Kabul, including in her area.

Omid Ahmadzai, a resident of Kota-i-Sangi, said, "We have no electricity in daytime, and it comes back at 8pm. Then, it goes off again in the morning. Many nights, it returns too late to be of any use."

Shaima, an inhabitant of Dar-ul-Aman, expressed a similar concern, calling the frequency of outages in her neighbourhood a serious issue.

Mohammad Nazir, who belongs to Paktiakot, is equally frustrated with the power outages and the weak electricity supply.

"We urge the Islamic Emirate to increase electricity supply. The winter is fast approaching, and poor people are suffering," he commented.

In response to consumer complaints, Hikmatullah Maiwandi, a spokesman for Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat (DABS), sais rising demand for electricity during the winter months was contributing to frequent outages.

He said, "DABS is committed to providing regular and reliable electricity to citizens. With the weather getting colder, our technical teams are working diligently to maintain and protect power lines to prevent issues caused by rain and wind."

He continued, "We are implementing a schedule to ensure that electricity is supplied in a regular and reliable way across Kabul."

In addition to stabilising electricity supply, Maiwandi explained, DANS was working to boost domestic power generation to meet growing demand.

sa/mud