SRINAGAR: Address Developmental requirements of the Shai-dominated areas on priority to facilitate people during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram, directed Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole to Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Divisional Heads of various line departments.
The Div Com issued these directions while taking the review of arrangements with respect to the availability of drinking water, electricity, health facilities, sanitation and repairing of roads for forthcoming Muharram-ul-Haram.
He, on the occasion, stressed on the officers to ensure that all the essential requirements are met in time.
The Div Com asked DCs to conduct meeting with the stakeholders and associations of Shia community to get appraisal of demands and needs besides asked them to hold district-level meetings to ensure all the necessary requirements are put in place.
Pole exhorted concerned to repair and upgrade the roads particularly where Muharram processions take place traditionally.
He further asked them to conduct spot visits to assess area-wise needs. Besides, he directed SSPs to provide security to Muharram processions and Imambars.
The officers of the Health department were asked to keep first-aid, medical teams and ambulances available in the areas and shall also accompany with processions to respond immediately with requisite treatment.
Besides, he directed for organizing blood donation camps in coordination with associations and involvement of Red Cross and NCC Volunteers in Blood donation camps.
Traffic police was asked to chalk out an advance traffic management plan for movement of general transport on particular days of processions in different areas besides asked them to publicize the same well in advance in print and electronic media.
Moreover, HoDs of PHE and PDD were directed to ensure regular, uninterrupted supply of drinking water and electricity respectively so the general public does not face any inconvenience.
Also, SMC and Urban local bodies were asked to conduct sanitation drives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to clean the routes and localities besides procession routes and Imambars.
Div Com directed them to replace non-functional and damaged street lights in the areas so people do not face any difficulty during evening processions and prayers.
FCS&CA was asked for distribution of essential commodities and ration while CCF was asked to provide firewood to the people. It was informed that 18000 quintals firewood shall be provided at 83 locations in all the districts.
Div Com directed FCS&CA, Police and other departments to carry out market checking and ensure all essentials and required items are available in the market besides there is no violation of the official rate list of essentials.
Pole also directed for the constitution of a joint control room of all the concerned departments involved to address demands and grievances.
The meeting was attended by DCs; Commissioner SMC; SSPs; CEs of PHE, KPDCL, R&B; officers from Health Services, ULB, Fire & Emergency, Information, Red Cross Society.
