SRINAGAR, Dec 24: To ensure the seamless and continuous delivery of essential services across the Kashmir Division, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a high-level meeting today at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
The session assessed the readiness of various departments to confront the challenges of severe winter conditions, particularly in the heavily snow-affected areas of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Division.
He highlighted the necessity for a solid strategy to reduce public inconvenience during inclement weather.
The Chief Minister also interacted with Deputy Commissioners to evaluate the preparedness at the district level and urged them to prioritize quick and effective responses to weather-related issues.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining operational readiness for personnel and equipment, Chief Minister Abdullah called for ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of essential services.
He instructed departments to focus on maintaining trade, transportation, and essential supplies while addressing disruptions caused by snowfall, waterlogging, or power outages.
Regarding snow removal, he was informed that a sufficient number of advanced snow clearance machines have been deployed by the R&B Department, SMC, MED, BRO, and NHAI, with additional machinery on standby for heavy snowfalls.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed relevant authorities to prioritize clearing vital routes, including inter-district highways and access roads to hospitals, power grids, water supply systems, and fire and emergency services.
The meeting confirmed that there are adequate stocks of rations, petrol, diesel, and LPG to meet residents’ needs for several months, with additional arrangements made for timely distribution across districts.
The Chief Minister also recommended the establishment of joint control rooms in all districts to effectively manage winter-related complaints.
He stressed the need for a rapid response system to alleviate public inconvenience and ensure the effective provision of essential services. In assessing the health sector’s preparedness, the Chief Minister tasked the Health Department with ensuring sufficient supplies of medicines, oxygen cylinders, and emergency resources at all hospitals.
He also highlighted the need to maintain operational central heating systems in healthcare facilities and ensured the deployment of medical personnel in areas affected by heavy snowfall.
Instructions were given for arranging transportation services for expecting mothers in remote and isolated locations.
Recognizing the crucial need for a stable power supply during winter, the Chief Minister directed KPDCL engineers to prioritize restoring electricity to essential installations.
He called for prompt replacement of any damaged transformers and urged for the safety of field staff with appropriate gear to prevent accidents while conducting repair work.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underlined the significance of maintaining road connectivity and effective traffic management.
He instructed agencies to deploy sufficient manpower and resources for snow clearance on national highways, primary roads, and internal routes to ensure minimal disruption to public movement.
In conclusion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged all departments to collaborate and take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of severe winter conditions. He reiterated his commitment to reducing public inconvenience and ensuring the effective delivery of essential services throughout the region.
Additionally, the Chief Minister directed the PHE Department to deploy adequate water tankers in affected areas to prevent water shortages during extreme weather.
Furthermore, he instructed the Forest Department to guarantee a sufficient supply of firewood in snow-affected regions.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for coordination among line departments and ordered the 24/7 operation of District Control Rooms to maintain and update records of vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women in snow-blocked areas.
He highlighted that such individuals should be relocated to maternity centers well ahead of their delivery dates.
In regions prone to roadblockages, the Chief Minister instructed authorities to ensure helicopter services are available for areas that become isolated.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that all preparedness plans must be practical and actionable, guaranteeing their effectiveness when needed.
He called for seamless interdepartmental cooperation and directed Deputy Commissioners to maintain regular communication with field officers to swiftly address emerging challenges.
The Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to the well-being and safety of the population.
He assured residents that the administration is fully prepared to manage the challenges posed by the winter and deliver essential services effectively. Among those present were Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra via video conference, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir in person.
Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, senior Police and Security Officers, Deputy Commissioners, and Commissioners of SMC & JMC, along with Officers from BRO, NHAI, and other Departments attended the meeting, with representatives from Jammu and other District Headquarters participating through video conference.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Jammu provided presentations on the winter preparedness measures currently in place across both divisions.
The meeting also saw the participation of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmad Rana, Minister for Agriculture and RDD Javaid Ahmad Dar, Minister for FCS&CA and Transport Satish Sharma, and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani via virtual mode. The Chief Minister conducted a thorough review of the winter preparedness across all line departments.
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