Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 14: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary announced today that the elected Government is fully committed to ensuring that the residents of Jammu and Kashmir enjoy uninterrupted services during the winter months. Speaking to reporters following a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess readiness for snow clearance operations, Choudhary assured that people would experience noticeable improvements on the ground.
“We are dedicated to providing essential services to both Kashmir and Jammu. The public should be aware that their Government is proactive and focused on preventing any hardships,” he stated.
He noted that the meeting was convened under the guidance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, underscoring his attentiveness to these critical issues and prioritizing the well-being of the citizens. Click here to watch video
The Deputy Chief Minister further emphasized that “officers represent the Government, and we expect them to adopt a fresh approach, different from the previous decade.”
“This winter readiness strategy is crucial for safeguarding the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. It’s our shared duty to guarantee uninterrupted services and prompt emergency response,” he asserted.
During the session, he highlighted the necessity for a coordinated effort to ensure timely snow clearance, presenting a comprehensive winter action plan aimed at maintaining essential services and connectivity statewide, especially in areas prone to heavy snowfall.
It was reported that the Mechanical Engineering Division (MED) will prioritize the clearing of 10,223 kilometers of roads, including 6,728 kilometers categorized as Priority-1, encompassing key highways, hospital access routes, and roads to critical infrastructure.
Moreover, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has finalized contracts for snow clearance on an additional 4,042 kilometers of rural roads, with four more contracts currently in the pipeline.
Additionally, 310 snow clearance machines have been mobilized by MED, an increase from 254 last year, along with 293 operational staff deployed to manage challenging winter conditions, compared to 231 last year.
Critical roads and highways, including NH-44 (Banihal-Qazigund), Mughal Road, Bandipora-Gurez Road, and routes to Patnitop, were identified as areas needing special attention.
The discussion also prioritized ensuring the steady supply of LPG, petroleum, and other essential goods.
The meeting was attended by multiple MLAs representing constituencies such as Kangan, Sonawari, Gulmarg, Uri, Sopore, Pattan, Baramulla, Pampore, Beerwah, Shopian, Pahalgam, Anantnag East, and Chanapora, along with the Divisional Commissioners of both Kashmir and Jammu, Deputy Commissioners from all districts, Chief Engineers, and other senior officials from the Public Works (R&B) Department, MED, PMGSY, NHIDCL, and BRO.
Representatives from BRO, NHIDCL, and PWD (R&B) showcased the availability of snow clearance equipment, including snow cutters, dozers, and graders to maintain road accessibility.
Furthermore, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) along with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) reported their readiness to manage urban roads utilizing 422 machines, which included de-watering pumps and de-icing solutions.
The Deputy Chief Minister reinforced the necessity for inter-departmental collaboration and instructed all Deputy Commissioners to oversee on-ground operations through consistent virtual meetings.
