* Timeline fixed for restoration of power supply, roads
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 14: Following fresh snow fall in Kashmir Division and many parts of Jammu Division, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, K K Sharma and Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today held an extensive video conference with the Divisional and District Administrations of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions and impressed upon the officers to work 24×7 and with unflinching commitment and dedication to ensure that 100% power supply is restored and roads are cleared of snow by Sunday evening across the entire Union Territory.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Administrative Secretaries of PHE and I&FC and DMRR&R, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Jammu, Chief Engineers of concerned Departments and other senior officers attended the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, DCs of Kashmir Division, DCs of Jammu Division, Chief Engineers of concerned Departments and other senior officers participated through Video Conference.
Advisor Sharma observed that Lieutenant Governor has emphasised on provision of all basic services to the people in particular power, water, road connectivity, food and petroleum products without any interruption during the winter months.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and the DCs briefed on the status of power and water supply, road clearance and SDRF fund position.
Chief Engineers were directed to ensure that damaged power lines are restored by Sunday evening i.e 15 December, 2019 across the two divisions and to project requirement to augment the buffer stock of transformers and poles to the Administrative Secretary, PDD on immediate basis
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu apprised that power supply has been disrupted in many parts of Jammu Division especially Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda and efforts are in full swing to restore power supply in these districts and other parts of Jammu affected by snowfall.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir informed that power supply in North and Central Kashmir including Srinagar City has been restored. Chief Engineer, PDD Kashmir was directed to publicize the curtailment schedule in the local press for information of the people.
Chief Secretary observed that funds under SDRF have been kept at the disposal of DCs and additional funds will be released to DCs by Tuesday i.e 17th December, 2019 for meeting the expenditure incurred on SDRF related works and for procurement of additional disaster related equipment. He said funds will also be released to DCs for undertaking restoration works and to replenish the buffer stock of transformers and poles to meet any unforeseen challenge.
It was informed that 70% of the priority 1 and priority 2 roads across Kashmir Valley have been cleared of snow and 100% clearance will be ensured by Saturday evening i.e 14th December, 2019. Men and machinery of the Municipalities and Town Area Committees have been pressed into service to clear roads, lanes and by lanes in Srinagar City and other Towns. Sufficient dewatering pumps have been kept in readiness to dewater the low lying areas of Srinagar City.
It was informed that traffic on major highways in snow bound areas of Jammu Division has been disrupted and men and machinery has been deployed to open the roads. Serious efforts are being made to open the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at the earliest.
Chief Secretary directed Project Director NHAI to ensure that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is kept in good condition during the winter months, its road surface improved; wherever required and adequate number of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) deployed in Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal stretches of the National Highway.
DCs and District SPs of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Kulgam and Anantnag were directed to take effective steps for regulation of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in consultation with the traffic police authorities. Directions were issued for providing facilities for stranded passengers/students/truckers along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
DC Jammu was asked to setup a Help Desk at the main Bus Stand in Jammu for the convenience of the stranded passengers. DCs and District SPs of Doda, Kishtwar Rajouri and Ramban will ensure better traffic management in these districts to avoid accidents caused due to overloading and fitness issues of vehicles.
DC Ganderbal will establish a hotline to communicate with his counterpart in Kargil to share the status of Sonmarg- Zojila-Kargil road and for rendering assistance to the passengers.
DCs were directed to project the requirement of funds for Gensets and Oil for smooth functioning of the various lift water supply schemes including mobile Gensets. They will also project the requirement of funds for heating in the Hospitals through their respective Divisional Commissioners. Further, DCs will make adequate arrangements of heating and lighting in the exam centres for students appearing for different exams.
Advisor Sharma exhorted the DCs to earnestly bring out the critical gaps in the infrastructure and other resources in their districts and project them for intervention at appropriate level in the Government for the benefit of the public.
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