Divisional Commissioner Kashmir reviews winter preparedness, urges seamless coordination for snow clearance, fuel, power, and health services

SRINAGAR: In view of the upcoming winter season, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a  meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments to review the  preparedness for the forthcoming cold months. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Directors of FCS&CA, ULB, and IMD, Commissioner SMC, Chief Engineers of KPDCL, KPTCL, PHE, R&B, PMGSY, and officers from Horticulture, BRO, NH, NHIDCL, and other concerned departments.

Div Com conducted a detailed review of snow clearance strategies of key departments including MED, BRO, PMGSY, SMC, ULB, and R&B. He emphasized prioritizing snow clearance on roads leading to vital installations and habitations, ensuring minimal disruption to public movement and essential services.

He also reviewed buffer stocking of ration, LPG, petroleum products, and distribution transformers besides functioning of water supply schemes, lift stations, and deployment of water tankers. On the occasion, Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners to ensure seamless coordination among departments to avoid service disruptions. He called for advance vetting of road stretches to be cleared by respective agencies and stressed the need to complete tendering and contractor allotments by October-end.

The  departments were directed to map manpower and machinery to ensure timely snow clearance. KPDCL was directed to enhance workshop capacity to reduce transformer repair time besides maintain adequate buffer stock of transformers, poles, and wires. He called for distribution of sufficient transformer oil to all districts to prevent shortages.

Also, both KPDCL and KPTCL were instructed to expedite tree branch cutting to prevent power line damage. Director Health Services was instructed to ensure availability of medical staff in all health institutions and to  provide 4x4 ambulances to districts and operation of 108 emergency services. He instructed DCs to identify and map critical patients, elderly individuals, and pregnant women for early evacuation or transfer to safer locations for treatment.

Moreover, he directed for deployment of Gynaecologists and Pediatricians to Gurez on a rotational basis. Regarding Fuel Supplies, he directed agencies  to ensure 20 days' buffer stock of LPG by November 20 besides augmentation of buffer stocks of petrol and diesel. Also, Div Com enjoined Dir FCS&CA to ensure availabilty adequate Buffer stock of  ration at distribution places and dumping of stocks in remote and high-altitude areas.

Taking note of increased fire incidents during winters, Div Com directed public awareness campaigns on safe use of electrical appliances and stressed on  stationing of fire tenders at critical locations for rapid response. While reviewing the availability of satellite phones for Nodal Officers and emergency teams, he called for effective usage of communication system.

He also directed BSNL officers  to expedite installation of telecom towers in uncovered areas to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. Moreover, he advised use of telecom services for dissemination of advisories to the general public, particularly farmers. Div Com directed DC Ganderbal to ensure continuous operation of Sonmarg Tunnel for winter tourism.

SMC and other civic agencies were instructed to ensure prompt snow clearance in city and timely dewatering of low-lying zones. To streamline coordination, the OSD to Div Com was appointed as the Divisional Level Nodal Officer, while other departments were instructed to appoint their respective nodal officers for information sharing and response.

The Divisional Commissioner reiterated the need for proactive planning, inter-agency coordination, and efficient execution to mitigate public inconvenience and ensure smooth functioning of essential services during the winter season.