Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today informed that the fool-proof arrangements have been put in place and robust response mechanism has been fully activated at all the district headquarters in view of the current spell of snowfall amid inclement weather.In this regard, the Divisional Commissioner chaired a marathon high-level meeting to review fool-proof arrangements, which have been put in place at all district headquarters by the Line Departments.The Divisional Commissioner informed that the Divisional Administration had fully activated response mechanism to deal with any situation and all line departments including MED, PWD, PHE, SMC, PDD, UEED, Traffic and Health are on the ground to provide hassle free services to the public.Additional Commissioner, Kashmir Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineers of Mechanical (MED), R&B, PDD, PHE, UEED, PMGSY, Commissioner SMC, Directors of Health Services, Urban Local Bodies and Horticulture, Principal GMC, Joint Director Fire & Emergency Services, Assistant Commissioner (C) with Div. Com. Deputy Director FCS&CA, SP Traffic (Rural), Officials of MET, NHAI & RAMKY attended the meeting, whereas Deputy Commissioners of nine districts participated the meeting through video-conferencing.The Divisional Commissioner sought detailed feedback from Deputy Commissioners regarding snow clearance operations on vital road links, lanes, by-lanes, link roads & National Highway.
He also sought feedback about the functioning of hospitals, plying of traffic, connectivity to tourist area of Gulmarg and Pahalgham, functioning of 24x7 Control Rooms, Disaster centres, and Toll free numbers, Operations of Power receiving stations & water schemes, Buffer stock of power transformers, additional water tankers, stocking of ration, LPG, petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and other essential commodities, distribution of fire wood. He also directed concerned to keep an eye on the developments and issue warning system in upper reaches, besides attending the distress calls from such areas.The meeting was informed that the MED has deployed 154 snow clearance machines while as R&B, BEACON, PMGSY and RAMKY have deployed snow-cutters with men on the job.The Divisional Commissioner directed Chief Engineers to expedite snow clearance on all roads including National Highway at the earliest. He directed SMC and ULB to deploy their 6500 men on snow clearance job in lanes, by-lanes and link roads besides deploy dewatering pumps at low lying areas, in case of water logging.Chief Engineer, Power was directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply as per schedule and to keep men and machinery ready to deal with any transmission fault so that power supply should not affected. He also directed the PHE department to ensure uninterrupted water supply during winter days besides deploy water tankers for hospitals and other important institutions whenever they need it.The Divisional Commissioner directed the Director Health Services to ensure central heating in all the hospitals and 100 percent attendance of doctors with paramedical staff, medicines and ambulances in all the hospitals. He said inconvenience to public won’t be tolerated and officials would be dealt strictly for showing any lackadaisical approach toward their duties.Divisional Commissioner also directed the Deputy Commissioners to organize maximum number of public outreach programmes so that grievances should be addressed on the spot.