Srinagar, Nov 13: Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg on Friday reviewed winter preparedness in the Valley and called for timely and coordinated response to ensure uninterrupted essential services.
The divisional commissioner chaired a meeting to review winter preparedness across the Kashmir division, emphasising the need for coordinated efforts, timely response and adequate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted essential services during the winter season, an official spokesman said.
During the meeting, the divisional commissioner reviewed snow clearance action plans of various agencies and directed prompt snow clearance and clear demarcation of duties to avoid confusion.
Garg stressed optimal utilisation of available machinery and manpower and directed concerned agencies to complete all pending contracts to strengthen the snow clearance mechanism.
Garg assessed electricity demand and supply, availability of buffer stocks of transformers, transformer oil, and DG sets in Gurez, besides the status of tree trimming operations.
He was informed that the average electricity demand in the Valley during winter is around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW, while peak demand reaches 2,400 MW, the spokesman said.
The divisional commissioner directed the authorities to augment the capacity wherever required, complete the remaining tree-trimming work at the earliest, strictly adhere to scheduled power curtailment timings and ensure prompt repair of damaged transformers.
While reviewing the availability of essential commodities in remote and snowbound areas, including Gurez and the Karnah-Machil-Keran belt, the divisional commissioner directed the food and consumer affairs department to complete the advance stocking of LPG cylinders, petroleum products, rice and wheat within one week.
He stressed that adequate stocks of essential commodities be ensured in far-flung areas to prevent any shortage or inconvenience to the public during road closures.
Taking note of delays in the commencement of winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara, the divisional commissioner directed the civil aviation department to operationalise the facility by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation from remote and inaccessible areas.
Regarding daily flight operations at Srinagar airport, he directed the director, Airport Authority Srinagar, to ensure timely dissemination of information to passengers and the public about changes in flight schedules due to adverse weather conditions.
The divisional commissioner also reviewed healthcare preparedness across districts, including heating arrangements in hospitals, availability of essential medicines, deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas and the requirement for four-wheel drive (4×4) ambulances.
He directed the National Health Mission to provide 4×4 ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for further distribution among districts. Garg stressed their advance shifting to temporary shelters, wherever required, to ensure uninterrupted access to medical care during heavy snowfall and road closures.
Reviewing the preparedness of the Jal Shakti department, the divisional commissioner directed officials to ensure uninterrupted functioning of all schemes, including lift water supply schemes, and adequate arrangements for the deployment of water tankers wherever required.
He also directed the forest department to ensure adequate stocking of firewood at depots across the Valley.
To strengthen interdepartmental coordination, the divisional commissioner directed all district administrations and departments to ensure round-the-clock functioning of respective control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).
He also instructed appointment of nodal officers and sharing of their contact details to facilitate timely assistance, coordination and dissemination of information.
Stressing the importance of timely weather-related advisories, Garg directed concerned departments to ensure prompt sharing of information regarding weather and avalanche forecasts with the public to minimise risks.
He also directed the Srinagar municipal commissioner to identify waterlogging hotspots across the city and ensure deployment of adequate de-watering pumps to address any eventuality during winter.
During the meeting, deputy commissioners briefed the chair about winter preparedness measures undertaken in respective districts and highlighted critical issues requiring intervention and resolution.
The divisional commissioner called upon all departments to maintain close coordination and ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well in advance to minimise public inconvenience and ensure the safety and well-being of people across Kashmir division during winter.
