SRINAGAR, DEC 24: To ensure the smooth and uninterrupted delivery of essential services across the Kashmir Division, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. The session focused on reviewing the preparedness of various departments to address challenges posed by harsh winter conditions, especially in snow-bound zones of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Division.
The meeting was attended by 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 Rural Development Javaid Ahmad Dar, Minister for FCS&CA and Transport Satish Sharma, and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, who participated virtually.
“We need a robust mechanism to minimise public inconvenience during severe weather conditions,” Chief Minister Abdullah emphasised, conducting a detailed, department-wise review of the winter preparedness measures in place. The meeting also involved discussions with Deputy Commissioners, where the Chief Minister urged them to prioritise timely and effective responses to emerging weather-related challenges.
Abdullah underscored the critical importance of keeping machinery and manpower in a state of readiness to ensure the functioning of essential installations, especially in remote areas. He instructed departments to prioritise the uninterrupted functioning of trade, transport, and essential supplies, while also addressing disruptions caused by snow, waterlogging, or power outages.
On the issue of snow clearance, Abdullah was briefed that several hi-tech snow clearance machines had been deployed by the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Mechanical Engineering Department (MED), Border Roads Organization (BRO), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with additional machines on standby in anticipation of heavy snowfall.
“Key routes, including inter-district highways and those leading to hospitals, power grids, water supply systems, and emergency services, must be cleared on priority,” he instructed.
The meeting also touched on the availability of essential goods. Officials informed the Chief Minister that adequate stocks of ration, petrol, diesel, and LPG are in place for several months. Additional provisions have been made to ensure timely distribution across districts. Abdullah called for the establishment of joint control rooms in each district to handle winter-related complaints promptly and ensure swift responses to minimize public inconvenience.
Turning to the health sector, Abdullah directed the Health Department to ensure adequate stocks of medicines, oxygen cylinders, and emergency supplies across all hospitals. He emphasised the importance of maintaining central heating systems in healthcare facilities and ensuring that medical staff are deployed in snowbound areas.
“Transport services must be arranged for expecting mothers in remote and far-flung areas,” he added.
With winter storms often causing power outages, Abdullah emphasized the importance of uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly for critical installations. He instructed KPDCL engineers to prioritize the restoration of electricity and the timely replacement of damaged transformers.
“The safety of field staff is paramount. Ensure they are provided with proper safety gear to prevent accidents during repair work,” Abdullah added.
The Chief Minister further stressed the need for maintaining road connectivity and efficient traffic management. “Sufficient manpower and equipment must be deployed for snow clearance on national highways, main roads, and internal routes,” he directed. This is to ensure minimal disruption to public movement and a smooth flow of essential services.
Abdullah also instructed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to deploy water tankers in areas facing water scarcity due to snow, and the Forest Department to ensure an adequate supply of firewood in snowbound areas. He highlighted the importance of round-the-clock operationalization of district control rooms, which will maintain and update records of vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women, in snow-blocked areas.
For regions prone to road blockages, the Chief Minister called for the provision of helicopter services to ensure that these areas remain accessible, particularly during extreme weather events.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of its citizens, Abdullah concluded the meeting by calling for seamless interdepartmental coordination. “We must work together proactively to mitigate the impact of these harsh winter conditions,” he said. He also emphasized the need for Deputy Commissioners to maintain regular communication with field officers to address challenges swiftly.
“The administration is fully prepared to tackle the challenges of the harsh winter and ensure the effective delivery of essential services,” Abdullah assured the public.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary for Jal Shakti Shaleen Kabra (via video conferencing), Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. Senior officers from various departments, including the Police, Security, BRO, NHAI, and others, also participated, with Jammu and other district headquarters joining via video conference.
