While calling for an immediate redressal of grievances of the general public in view of snowfall in last two days, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader and MLA Elect Amirakadal Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that it is a matter of serious concern that the administration seems unable to handle few inches of snow in Kashmir Valley.In a statement to KNS, Bukhari observed that the ill preparedness of the administration to cope up with the problems created by routine snowfall during the winter underlines for an urgent need for overhauling the system.“Power break-down, road blockades, damages to water supply lines, scarcity of ration, water logging and other difficulties faced by the people in Kashmir have become synonymous with the winter in Kashmir. This pathetic situation needs to be changed,” Bukhari said while asking the PDD, CAPD, PHE and SMC to press into service its men and machinery for mitigating the sufferings of people especially in the flood hit Srinagar.
The MLA Elect remarked that although a snowfall is not new to the state, given its climatic condition and the topography, but the indolent administration seems resistant to change its rusty work culture and sluggishness.Referring to the problems caused to the people by the latest snowfall resulting into frequent power cuts which has plunged the entire valley into darkness, Bukhari asked the PDD authorities to expedite the restoration of power supply in the valley especially in Srinagar city where the people have been reeling under biting cold in absence of alternative heating arrangements in their flood hit houses.The PDP senior leader wondered that with a few inches of snow the entire administration in Kashmir comes to a grinding halt which is reflective of a dire need for strengthening of winter preparedness in J&K state. “Drains in many areas of flood hit Amirakadal are still blocked and no efforts are made to flush out these choked drains. The water logging at many places including Hari Singh High Street, Mehjoor Nagar, Regal Chowk and Jawahir Nagar has resulted in tremendous hardships to the general public.
Similarly there are many areas where the stagnant water has started inundating roads, lanes and by lanes in Shehr-e-Khaas and the interiors of Amirakadal constituency but there seems to be no response from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to clear these roads for pedestrians,” he said.Bukhari said to meet the challenges of winter vagaries, the higher ups in the administration need to ensure better co-ordination between the different departments especially those providing essential services.“Though early weather warning system is in place but in absence of the required resource mobilization and on ground action, weather alerts do not serve any purpose,” he added.
The MLA Elect urged the Governor N N Vohra to direct the administration that there is no chaos for scarcity of essential commodities including rice, atta, sugar, LPG, kerosene oil and safe drinking water. “The medical services, especially emergency services should be monitored, besides, the damaged power distribution lines should be immediately repaired to ensure a better power supply in the valley”, he demanded.