Anantnag, Dec 18: The Mechanical & Hospital Engineering Department Anantnag has established seven control rooms and deployed 44 machines for snow clearance operations across the district, officials said.
Mohammad Yaseen, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Mechanical and Hospital Division Anantnag, told Rising Kashmir that the control rooms have been set up at Khanabal, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Lever Pahalgam, Dooru, Qammar, and Shangus to ensure smooth snow clearance operations.
“We are fully prepared for post-snowfall operations. The department will clear 1,555 kilometers of roads this season, of which 764 kilometers fall under Priority 1 and 786 kilometers under Priority 2,” the AEE said.
He said that the department has a diverse fleet of 44 machines for snow clearance. This includes a snow cutter, two UNIMOG 423 machines equipped with German technology, seven LPT 4×4 machines, five Guru LPT machines, and 21 snow cats, including chain dozers.
“We have the inclusion of the latest German technology-based UNIMOG 423 machine which further strengthens the department’s capacity for snow clearance operations this year,” he said.
The AEE said that Anantnag, being a vast district, requires the team to remain on alert as soon as snowfall begins. “We have also stationed staff and equipment at the tourist destination Pahalgam to ensure hassle-free snow clearance for tourists,” he added.
He urged the public to cooperate with the department by avoiding road obstructions and assured that the upgraded fleet will ensure timely snow clearance across the district.
