Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for winter preparedness of different departments of the administration at Divisional Commissioner Kashmir office here.Advisor Khan took stock of department-wise action plan and preparedness related to different works undertaken by the J&K administration for winter preparedness.He urged upon the concerned officers to make this winter a vibrant season by making plans for various winter activities in a coordinated manner with all the departments.Further, he asked the concerned officers to make necessary arrangements well in advance and asked for Department-wise action plans.On weather front, Advisor Khan directed Director Metrological Department to issue weather bulletins in 10 to 15 days, one week and 24 hours in advance Media related bulletins. While complimenting the weather forecast system and bulletin of IMD, Advisor Khan said the weather advisories issued in advance help to plan and put in place the best possible arrangements during weather vagaries which also help to minimize disruptions of essential services to general public.He also directed all Deputy commissioners of Kashmir division to make a robust mechanism of control room so that people’s issues would be responded within the shortest possible time.
While reviewing power Development Department preparedness, the Advisor set specific timelines for replacement of transformers in urban, rural, and far-flung and remote areas of the Kashmir division.He asked the concerned officers to set a benchmark of last winter and make all out efforts to improve on all fronts to provide maximum relief to people during harsh winter season.He also enquired about the buffer stock of transformers, poles, electric supply lines and to rationalize the buffer stock across all the districts with priority to the districts which receive heavy snowfall.While reviewing the preparedness of PWD department, Advisor Khan stressed on ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity and proper traffic management.Also, he directed the concerned to deploy snow clearing machinery and equipment for snow clearance on National Highways, hospitals, and all the main arteries.
While taking stock of health sector during winter season, Advisor Khan was informed that all medical supplies like medicine, oxygen and other medical equipments are stocked in sufficient amount with control room already set up.The Advisor directed for availability of doctors and medical supplies in the areas which remain worst affected during heavy snowfall.Also, Advisor Khan asked Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Kashmir to maintain sufficient stock of the essential items including ration, domestic gas, fuel and kerosene oil.Likewise, Jal Shakti Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Border Roads Organization were directed to prepare men and machinery for tackling inclement weather conditions.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole; SSP Traffic Rural, Manzoor Ahmad, all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, all Sr Supdt Police Kashmir Division, Director Rural Development Department Kashmir, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Director FCS&CA Kashmir, Director Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineers PWD, JKPTCL, KPDCL(Distribution), Jal Shakti, MED, UEED, PMGSY & Beacon Kashmir, Director Indian Metrological Department J&K and representatives of oil companies, NHIDCL,NHAI, FCI, BSNL, Jio, Airtel amd other concerned attended the meeting in person and in virtual mode.