SRINAGAR: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Basharat Qayoom on Monday directed officials to ensure timely snow clearance, strengthen dewatering arrangements and maintain uninterrupted civic services across the city during the upcoming winter season.
Chairing a review meeting at the SMC Central Office in Karan Nagar, Qayoom reviewed plans for deploying manpower and machinery across municipal wards to respond to snowfall and waterlogging.
He directed officials to prioritise roads connecting hospitals, ration depots, shrines and government institutions to ensure continued access to essential services during adverse weather conditions.
The commissioner also reviewed the availability of snow-clearance machinery, dewatering systems and mobility support, stressing the need for rapid deployment of resources wherever required.
He instructed the Snow Monitoring Committee and the 24-hour control room to remain operational and responsive throughout the winter season. Officials were directed to address public complaints promptly, particularly those concerning snow accumulation, blocked roads and other weather-related disruptions.
Reviewing dewatering arrangements, Qayoom directed officials to keep all permanent dewatering stations in working condition and ensure timely deployment of high-capacity mobile pumps in vulnerable and low-lying areas to prevent waterlogging during rainfall and snowmelt.
He emphasised field-level monitoring, accountability and coordination among the corporation’s departments to ensure that every municipal ward remained prepared to deal with winter-related disruptions and minimise inconvenience to residents.
The meeting was attended by the Joint Commissioners for Revenue and Enforcement and Works, the Superintending Engineer of the City Drainage Circle and other SMC officers.
