Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom today chaired a comprehensive meeting at the District Administrative Complex Pulwama to review the winter preparedness arrangements put in place by various departments across the district.
The DC took a detailed assessment of the power supply scenario, stock and availability of essentials including ration, LPG and fuel, functioning of healthcare facilities, status of essential drugs, and the arrangements put in place for timely snow clearance to ensure smooth movement of vehicles, ambulances and other essential services during snowfall.
The meeting deliberated on the winter action plan focusing on mitigating risks arising from primary winter hazards such as heavy snowfall, cold waves, icy roads and snow avalanches. Discussions were held on snow clearance priority matrix, shelter and evacuation management, resource inventory and deployment, activation protocols and community mobilisation strategies.
The DC directed officers to prioritise key public routes, particularly those connecting hospitals, ration depots, and government institutions, so that accessibility remains uninterrupted even during heavy snowfall. While stressing on the need to take preventive and precautionary measures well in advance, the DC directed all departments to ensure that routine functioning at essential installations is not affected during harsh weather.
He emphasised that uninterrupted services related to trade, transport, essential supplies, health and public utilities must be maintained throughout the winter season. He added that the District Emergency Operation Centre must remain fully proactive and responsive to public concerns and should function as the district’s 24×7 nerve centre for coordination, monitoring and timely response.
The DC instructed the health authorities to ensure 24×7 medical care across all health institutions and maintain adequate stock of essential drugs and emergency supplies. He also directed the concerned enforcement teams to intensify market checking drives across the district to curb hoarding, overpricing, black-marketing and sale of substandard items.
He stressed that strict action must be taken against violators to ensure availability of essential commodities at government-approved rates during the winter months. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Awantipora and Tral, and officers from Police, Revenue, Rural Development, Jal Shakti, KPDCL, R&B, PMGSY, Mechanical Engineering, Transport, Health, Education, Municipalities, FCS&CA and other essential departments.