In view of the continued dry spell leading to depletion of water levels in streams, canals and other reserviours across the Kashmir Valley, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today convened a high level meeting to review the situation and take measures for addressing the situation.Taking a serious view of the reports of difficulties caused to common people due to occasional disruptions in power and drinking water supply, the Chief Minister directed ensuring a regulated supply to consumers in all areas. She asked the PDD authorities to strictly adhere to the curtailment schedule and make sure that it is widely circulated. Besides, she also directed sharing of the curtailment schedule with respective Deputy Commissioners and Police.Mehbooba Mufti directed the PDD authorities to set up control rooms to function round the clock where consumers can approach with any complaint or grievance anytime. She directed linking of these control rooms with Police Helpline-Dial 100-so as to reach out in all areas and make it more responsive. She directed constitution of a similar mechanism in PHE Department and availability of drinking water.The Chief Minister also directed that power supply be ensured to people during critical times like Fajrprayers, morning and evening times. She also directed pressing tanker service into action in areas where from shortage of drinking water is reported. She also directed exploring the possibilities of digging hand pumps and wells to identify new sources.
On the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti was informed that consequent upon her directions, a buffer of 200 transformers has been created across the Valley to replace the damaged ones at the earliest. This, she was informed, is in addition to the 200 transformers which are already in circulation in the distribution system.Also the Chief Minister was informed that around 1000 Water Supply Schemes across the Valley have been affected due to continued dry spell and efforts are on to stabilize and preserve the water resources. 160 hand pumps are being dug across the valley for which 15 rigs have been pressed into service, she was informed. Additionally 66 wells have been proposed to be dug to augment water availability in the Valley, the meeting was informed.Mehbooba Mufti also directed Srinagar Municipal Corporation for pacing up anti-encroachment drive and clearing of footpaths in the city for the convenience of pedestrians. She also asked for popularising the use of car parking facilities at Lal Chowk for addressing the traffic congestion in the area.Minister of State for Power, Syed Farooq Andrabi; Principal Secretary, PDD, Dheeraj Gupta; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan;Secretary, PHE, M. Raju; IGP Kashmir zone, Muneer Ahmad Khan; heads of several Engineering Departments; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed; Commissioner, SMC, Reyaz Ahmad Wani and other officers were present in the meeting.