Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon Friday called an emergency meeting of all the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir to review arrangements put in place regarding snow clearance besides to ensure availability of basic amenities to people in view of forecast of heavy snowfall in the state.The Divisional Commissioner directed all the Deputy Commissioners and officers of Mechanical Engineering department to ensure arrangements including of snow cutter machines at all district headquarters so that clearance of snow from roads is ensured. He also directed the officials of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) to keep men and machinery ready for snow clearance and dewatering pumps in case of water logging.The Divisional Commissioner was informed that 119 Snow cutter machines have been kept ready for the purpose besides several machines have been dispatched to far flung areas of the valley.Giving district wise breakup Dr. Samoon was informed that 24 snow cutter machines have been kept ready in Srinagar, 8 in Budgam, 20 in Anantnag, 6 in Pulwama, 7 in Shopian, 9 each in Kulgam, Bandipora and Kupwara, 3 in Ganderbal and 24 in Baramulla.It was also given out that Joint Control Rooms have been established at District level and 2 at central level in offices of Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers for better coordination and quick response to meet any exigency. Besides a Control Room has also been established at PCR Srinagar where people can dial 100 in case of any emergency.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner also took stock of supply position of essential commodities including Ration, Kerosene and LPG. He asked all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure proper distribution of these commodities and mobilize checking squads to curb black marketing, profiteering and hoarding.During the meeting, Director CA&PD informed the Div Com that sufficient stocks of essentials have been kept available.The Divisional Commissioner also directed officers of Health Department to ensure better healthcare facilities besides availability of medicines at district, Sub-district hospitals and other Primary Health Centers of valley.Officers of Power Development Department were directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply as per schedule and to keep men and machinery ready in case of any transmission fault during snow so that power supply is not affected.The meeting was also attended by Director Meteorology Sonam Lotus, Director CA&PD, Director Health, Commissioner SMC, Chief Engineer Mechanical Engineering Division, Superintending Engineer PDD, SSP PCR and other concerned officers.