Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 21
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed government departments to coordinate winter preparations, prioritising snow clearance, reliable power supplies and access to essential services in remote areas.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Abdullah called for clear responsibilities and coordination among the Roads and Buildings Department, Mechanical Engineering Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, urban local bodies and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, among other agencies.
He directed officials to designate nodal officers to coordinate snow clearance across roads maintained by different departments, saying advance deployment of machinery and effective monitoring were essential to prevent disruptions during heavy snowfall.
Reviewing electricity supplies, Abdullah instructed the Power Development Department and distribution companies to adhere strictly to announced power-curtailment schedules.
He said consumers should be informed promptly of interruptions caused by technical faults or other unavoidable circumstances. Any changes to notified schedules must be authorised by the appropriate level, he said, warning against additional unscheduled cuts imposed at the discretion of field staff.
Presentations by Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg and Jammu Divisional Commissioner Vikas Kundal covered preparations for snow clearance, supplies of ration, liquefied petroleum gas and other essentials, and the maintenance of electricity, drinking water and healthcare services.
Officials also reviewed emergency arrangements for areas that frequently become isolated during winter, including the availability of four-wheel-drive ambulances, helicopter services where required and tracking of maternity cases needing urgent medical assistance.
Gurez, Machhil and Karnah, along with parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Kathua, were among the areas identified for specific preparations because of their vulnerability to heavy snowfall and road closures.
Abdullah called for advance identification of vulnerable residents and close coordination between departments and district administrations to ensure uninterrupted essential services and timely responses to weather-related emergencies.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, ministers Javed Rana and Satish Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and other senior officials, including deputy commissioners and representatives of the power distribution companies.
Officials based outside Srinagar joined through video conference.
