SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today convened a meeting regarding winter preparedness by departments across Kashmir Division.
The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Director RDD, Director Health, Director Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Chief Engineers of KPTCL, PHE, PWD, MED, HoDs of various agencies, officers of NHIDCL, BRO, NHA, SMC, PDD, other departments besides Additional Commissioner Jammu, DC Ramban and DC Udhampur.
At the outset, Div Com impressed on Additional Commissioner Jammu and DC Ramban to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles from their side, particularly during morning and evening hours when markets along National Highway remain abuzz which creates traffic jams and interrupts smooth traffic movement.
He also asked them to stock salt in advance that can be used to spray over the road at Patnitop when it gets slippery due to snow and frost. Besides, he told them to put snow clearance machinery ready at critical junctions for instant action to facilitate the flow of vehicles.
Meanwhile, Div Com stressed on CEs of R&B and MED to use new sophisticated machinery instead of crude snow clearance machinery. He exhorted them to chalk out priority-wise snow clearance plans and directed them that priority once decided shall not exceed or change.
He asked them to put the priority plan in the public domain so that people shall know in advance about the locus standi of their respective areas.
Similarly, PMGSY and SMC officers were directed to enhance the capacity of men and machinery for snow clearance. Pole directed that the public should be made aware that no one should throw snow on lawns on lanes.
He directed making helipad service functional in Kupwara and Bandipora for far-off areas which remain cut off due to snow. Div Com on the occasion also directed concerned DCs to streamline ticket booking and issuance of tickets in a transparent manner besides directing deputation of staff there and snow clearance mechanism.
Regarding avalanche warnings in hilly areas, Div Com directed issuing advance avalanche warning for hilly areas so that damage to property and loss of lives is avoided.
For the safety of orchards, Div Com instructed the Director of Horticulture to issue an advisory for the pruning of plants so damage due to snow can be reduced.
PDD was instructed to prepare a schedule for power distribution and confiscate crude electric appliances from the market besides advance dumping of stock at the subdivision level.
It was informed that advance dumping of stock of transformers, poles, and conductors have been initiated by the department besides 80% branch cutting was also completed.
C E PHE was asked to ensure the functioning of WSS across the districts and the stocking of diesel for DG sets for lift filtration plants. Besides, Div Com directed to provide logistics to staff stationed in snow-bound sources of WSS.
The concerned officer of Fire & Emergency was asked to conduct a fire audit of government and commercial buildings besides advising people to keep a fire extinguisher in houses for the safety of the property.
Similarly, Div Com directed concerned for maintaining a sufficient quantity of essential food items in stock besides asking for market checking to control black illegal profiteering by traders during the closure of highways due to snow.
