Power department in Kashmir valley has resorted to unscheduled power cuts in a bid to save energy for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during the much awaited cricket World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan today.
Residents from many areas of the city complained that they were subjected to unscheduled power cuts since last night.
"There was supposed to be no load-shedding yesterday but the electricity remained cut off for more than five hours," Nahida, a housewife residing in Natipora area, said.
Parts of commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas also had to face power cuts today. "I spoke to the officials of the PDD and they said electricity will be restored at 2pm," Sajad Ahmad, a businessman, said.
Although the PDD officials said the power cuts were due to heavy rains last evening, sources in the department confirmed that it was an effort to save energy for ensuring uninterrupted supply during the match between the two arch rivals.
Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed in large numbers in old Srinagar city to maintain peace during and after the game, officials said.
A high level security meeting was held in Srinagar yesterday where the possible fall out of the cricket match was discussed, they said.
"It was decided that police and paramilitary forces will be deployed in strength in vulnerable areas to prevent any law and order problem," they said.
Brief protests were held by a group of youths on Residency Road in Srinagar after police personnel removed posters of Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi from their vehicles.
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