Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today reviewed the situation in Kashmir Valley arising out of the heavy snowfall of past 24 hours at a meeting of officers here.The Chief Minister directed continuous and overnight snow clearance of highways; inter-district roads and connecting arteries without any break. She specifically directed to keep the roads leading to hospitals and health centres open so that patients don’t suffer during these days.Mehbooba Mufti sought complete synergy between various agencies on the ground dealing with snow clearance and other restoration works. She expressed her displeasure over the reports of massive traffic jams and skidding of vehicles in the city during the day even when the snow had not accumulated so much. She also directed early resumption of power supply besides ensuring uninterrupted drinking water and ration supply.The Chief Minister was informed that Mechanical Engineering Department and R&B Department have deployed 129 snow clearance machines across the Kashmir Valley out of which 20 have been deployed in Srinagar city itself.The meeting decided to keep the snow clearance machines stationed at their places of operation till the respective road stretches are thrown open.
The meeting was informed that all the Valley hospitals and tertiary care units are working as usual and all routine staff is stationed at their places of deployment. There is adequate supply of medicine available at these hospitals and even all ambulances are ready, she was informed.The meeting was also informed that adequate ration is stored in Kashmir Valley by the concerned Department and Food Corporation of India and fuel stocks have been dumped for about 21-28 days.The meeting was informed that due to the present snowfall around 25-30 % dried up water supply sources have recharged. The meeting was also told that all the water supply schemes are operating as usual and the bleaching chemicals are also adequately stocked. It was also informed that the PHE Department has kept 104 water tankers ready besides the usual water supplies.The meeting was also informed that 18 dewatering stations and 60 mobile pumping units are being pressed into service by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation for the dewatering purposes in various low lying areas besides deployment of 40 teams for manual snow clearance from various internal lanes.
The Chief Minister also took an appraisal about the status of snow clearance and passenger movement on the National Highway from the Project Beacon authorities.Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer A. Khan; IGP Kashmir zone, SJM Gillani; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone; Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Prof Kaisar Ahmad, divisional heads of several Departments and Engineering wings besides representatives Project Beacon and various Oil companies were present in the meeting.Later, the Chief Minister undertook a surprise visit of many city areas to personally monitor the snow clearance on interior roads, water drainage works and other restoration efforts by the administration in view of the snowfall in the city and other areas of Kashmir valley.Mehbooba Mufti visited Khanyar, Rainawari, Dalgate, Hazratbal, Naseembagh, Shalimar, Baba Demb, Saida Kadal, Habbak and other areas. She spoke to the people at various places to know their problems and assured them of redressal.