Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, today chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers to review summer preparedness, arrangements for upcoming pilgrimages, availability of food and essential supplies, and preparedness for Eid-ul-Adha celebrations across Jammu division.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhimsen Tuti, DIG Traffic J&K Dr Haseeb Mughal, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Devansh Yadav, Managing Director JPDCL Gurpal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas, heads of various departments and other senior officers.
At the outset, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu briefed the meeting about the overall summer preparedness across the division, including measures being taken by various departments to ensure uninterrupted public services during the peak summer season.
He also presented an overview of major developmental works underway in the region, including roads, highways, bridges and other key infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and public convenience. The meeting was informed that, in view of the prevailing crisis in West Asia, sufficient stocks of essential commodities, including food grains and fuel, are available across Jammu division and supplies are being continuously replenished to avoid any disruption.
The officers assured that adequate buffer stocks are being maintained to meet any eventuality during the summer and pilgrimage season. The Divisional Commissioner further briefed the meeting about arrangements being put in place for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Machail Mata Yatra and Budha Amarnath Yatra in Jammu division.
He informed that comprehensive preparations are underway to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimages, particularly in view of the monsoon season. Measures relating to road connectivity, sanitation, health facilities, traffic regulation and emergency response systems are being strengthened to facilitate hassle-free movement of pilgrims.
The meeting also reviewed the present power supply scenario in Jammu region. The Managing Director, JPDCL, briefed the meeting regarding ongoing measures to improve power supply infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers during the summer months.
He informed that steps are being taken for advance maintenance of transformers and strengthening of distribution networks to minimize disruptions. The meeting also discussed arrangements being made for the smooth celebration of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha in Jammu region.
The Divisional Commissioner informed that market checking teams would be constituted to prevent black marketing, hoarding and profiteering during the festival period. He said all departments are working in coordination to ensure availability of essential commodities and smooth civic services during the festival.
During the meeting, the IGP Jammu and DIG Traffic J&K briefed the chair about the security and traffic management plans being formulated for the upcoming Eid festival and major Yatras in Jammu and Kashmir. They informed that foolproof security arrangements and comprehensive traffic regulation plans are being put in place to facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims and the general public.
Speaking during the meeting, the Advisor directed the Power Development Department and Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply during the peak summer season. He stressed the need for advance maintenance of transformers, rational deployment of water tankers and establishment of 24x7 grievance redressal mechanisms to address public complaints promptly.
The Advisor also directed the Health Department to keep all hospitals and Primary Health Centres fully equipped to handle heat-related illnesses. He instructed the department to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines and ensure deployment of mobile medical units in vulnerable areas, particularly during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and other pilgrimages.
He further directed the Traffic Police and Transport Department to properly regulate vehicular movement on vulnerable stretches of the National Highway and ensure adequate public transport facilities during the Yatra period. The Advisor instructed the FCS&CA Department to maintain sufficient buffer stocks of essential commodities and intensify market checking drives to curb hoarding and profiteering of perishables during Eid and the Yatra season.
Stressing the importance of coordinated functioning among departments, the Advisor said that real-time monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and prompt response to public grievances are essential to mitigate inconvenience to the public during the summer months and upcoming festival and pilgrimage season. He called upon all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient service delivery and seamless management of all arrangements.