SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Monday convened a meeting to take a holistic review of the winter preparedness of all the departments in Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipora, Budgam and Shopian, the Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Director of Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineer Mech and Hosp Engineering, Chief Engineers of R&B North and South Kashmir, C.E IOCL North, besides representatives of other DCs, KPDCL and PHE etc.
The chair reviewed department-wise preparedness for winters to ensure a smooth supply of essentials viz. ration, water, electricity, and medical care, besides timely road clearance to ensure smooth movement of vehicles etc.
Taking stock of the supply position of essentials in snow-bound areas that remain cut-off during winters; the Director FCS&CA informed the meeting that there is no dearth of fuel in Kashmir and they have maintained sufficient stocks of it in snow-bound areas, besides they have also made 100% stocks of ration at such places.
An officer from KPDCL informed the chair that the department is maintaining the curtailment programme while there are no distress cuts since the additional 200 MW of power. He further informed that they are providing round-the-clock power supply to 22 Feeders where both smart metering and cabling have been done, and in addition, they are extending the facility to more than 8 to 10 Feeders.
In case of replacement of Damaged Distribution Transformers (DDTs), the Officer informed that in urban areas they are placing the DDTs within 48 hrs while in rural areas the exercise is completed within 1-2 days.
The Div Com directed the KPDCL authorities to ensure damaged DTs are replaced within the timeframe as per the directions of the Lt. Governor and that common masses do not have to face any difficulty.
He also directed to keep man and material ready to meet any exigency in case of heavy snowfall besides taking stringent action against hooking.
The Director of Health Services briefed the chair regarding the deployment of 15 numbers of 4*4 vehicles in far-flung areas. He also assured that there is sufficient availability of Doctors and Medicines in Kashmir Hospitals especially those that remain cut-off during winter.
The Div Com directed the Health Services Authorities to ensure night staff remains available in hospitals to cater to emergency cases. Besides, he also directed him to conduct inspections to ensure the availability of doctors and other paramedical staff in hospitals.
Upgrading its number of machines from 252 last year to 282 machines this year to undertake snow clearance, the Chief Engineer Mech and Hosp Engineering informed that in addition to increasing the number of machinery, they have established 11 units across Kashmir to ensure timely snow clearance on roads.
He further informed that they have also dumped fuel in Gurez and other snow-bound areas to meet the demand and therefore are ready to meet any exigency.
Regarding road clearance measures in South Kashmir, the Chief Engineer R&B South informed the meeting they have made 350 machines available to cater to road clearance besides man and material stands in place to meet any eventuality.
He further informed that they have tendered all 139 stages which also remain allotted.
The Chief Engineer R&B North informed the meeting that 126 stages have been tendered while 114 have been allotted so far, the remaining 12 stages shall be allotted shortly.
An officer from PHE also informed the meeting that they have all their schemes running properly supplying water smoothly to all the areas.
