Srinagar/IBNS/UNI: For the first time since independence, two villages near the Line of Control (LoC) were connected with the grid to receive electricity supply in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.

An official spokesman said that it was a moment of joy for the 1300 souls of remote villages Kundiyan and Patroo of Keran along the LOC in Kupwara as their villages, for the first time in 75 years got electricity supply on Wednesday.

Two Sub Stations of 250 KV were completed under Samirdh Seema Yojan (SSY) by Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Electric Division Kupwara, bringing electricity to the villages, and ending the long wait of the residents.

Residents were ecstatic, they had strong reason to be happy, some even shrieked in joy on witnessing the electricity illuminating their houses.

The happiness of the villagers was evident, as they had gathered at Kundian to receive the Deputy Commissioner, Ayushi Sudan, who visited these villages to interact with locals.

On reaching Patroo and Kundian, the DC congratulated the people and PRIs for getting grid connectivity for the first time.

“It is a job well done. Everything was done in mission mode”. From Officers to Line men of PDD, Local PRIs, and concerned contractors, all have contributed to the timely completion of this electrification project which was handed over to people in a record time of two months," Sudan said.

She said It is a big achievement and testimony of transformation down at the grassroots level as only two months ago approval and allocation of this project was made.

The DC said that the road stretch from Dutt Bridge to Keran has been handed over to Beacon and work on it will be started.

She said that by the end of this year, all the villages of Keran will be saturated by the BSNL mobile network.

Airtel and Jio companies will be roped in to provide and enhance cell phone connectivity to the area.