DC Sgr, Commissioner SMC review snow clearance plan

Srinagar, Jan 22: In order to gear up the District Administration and allied machinery to effectively deal prevailing winter conditions and the current weather advisory, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, along with Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb Thursday convened a meeting of District and Sectoral Officers here at the Conference Hall, Kashmir Haat.
The meeting was attended by Commandant SDRF, Masroor Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner/CEO DDMA, Aadil Fareed, SP Headqaurter, Umar Shah, Joint Commissioner SMC, Nuzhat Khurshid Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Director IMD, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, SDM East, SDM West, Executive Engineers of KPDCL, PHE, R&B, MED, SMC, Chief Medical Officer, Assistant Commissioner Development, BDOs, AC Food Safety, AD FS&CA, besides other senior officers from Traffic Police and Civil Administration.
At the outset, the DC and SMC Commissioner reviewed and finalized the arrangements for timely snow clearance across the district to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement. A comprehensive review of winter preparedness was also conducted including healthcare facilities, power and water supply, availability of medicines, ration, fuel, LPG, and other essential services.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on taking measures well in advance so that routine functioning at all essential installations, besides trade, transport, essential supplies and other public services remains unaffected during snowfall.
Special instructions were issued to ensure adequate arrangements for the observance of Friday following Shab-e-Meraj at major shrines, including Dargah Hazratbal, as well as for the smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations in the district.
All the line departments were asked to keep men and machinery on standby to promptly address any possible issues in water supply, electricity, and road connectivity caused by snowfall. Directions were also given on fully making functional control rooms across the district to ensure swift redressal of winter-related public grievances. In addition, the stress was laid to ensure a prompt response system in place to ensure hassle-free supply of essential services to the people.
The meeting was informed that sufficient hi-tech snow clearance machinery has been deployed by R&B, SMC, and the Mechanical Engineering Department at vital installations, with additional machines kept in reserve for emergencies. Permanent and mobile dewatering stations operated by SMC, along with UEED pumps, are also functional to tackle waterlogging and to meet any exigency during heavy snowfall.
The Chief Medical Officer was directed to ensure availability of medical staff, medicines, ambulances, and proper functioning of central heating systems in all hospitals. Engineers of KPDCL were asked to maintain uninterrupted power supply, especially at essential installations, and ensure quick restoration in case of outages.
It was further informed that Jal Shakti schemes are functioning smoothly, with adequate backup arrangements to maintain uninterrupted water supply.