Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 18: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today called for adopting a proactive approach in dealing with weather vagaries and directed proper assessment of recent snowfall damages to the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor gave these directions while chairing a meeting to take stock of post snowfall scenario and overall restoration of essential services including power and water supply across all districts of Kashmir division.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Kashmir Valley, Commissioner SMC, Director Horticulture, Director, SKIMS, Principals of SKIMS Bemina and GMC Srinagar and heads of several Departments.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor Murmu emphasized that snow clearance machines should be kept in the state of readiness to deal with weather exigencies. He said that restoration period of all the essential services should be minimized in case of damages to the infra at vital installations due to heavy snowfall.
In order to tackle water-logging, if any, Lieutenant Governor directed for pressing in to service adequate number of fire tenders and dewatering pumps to deal with any kind of exigency.He said that all DCs should come up with proper capacity building centers to optimize resources and responses to mitigate winter-related challenges effectively.
While reviewing the health sector, Lieutenant Governor directed the concerned to procure heavy duty automatic gensets to be installed at all major health institutions in all districts so that hassle-free health services are ensured to the people during power disruptions due to inclement weather. He also directed DCs to ensure that proper heating arrangements are put in place and adequate stock of medicine is maintained at all health institutions.
With regard to the ensuing second phase of Government’s outreach -“Back to Village”-programme, the Lieutenant Governor stressed on bridging the gap between the achievable and achieved goals in development and taking governance to doorstep of the rural and inaccessible areas to generate credible and empirical feedback. Concerned officers were also directed to reach far-flung areas to assess problems and grievances arising out of recent heavy downpour so that the outreach programme is implemented successfully.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed on establishing disaster management centres along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway to providing quick and prompt rescue and relief measures for mishap victims.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioners gave a detailed presentation about their respective districts and briefed Lieutenant Governor about the steps taken by the district administrations post snowfall in terms of restoration of essential services.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor approved alignment construction of 3.2 kilometers western foreshore road along Dal Lake.
The alignment plan prepared by the Lakes & Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) for the restoration, beautification and for delinating physical boundary on western front of Dal was approved by the LG during a review meeting of functioning of LAWDA today.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyan, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, DC Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chowdary, VC LAWDA, GM Dar and senior officers from PCB, R&B, UEED and other concerned departments.
Stressing on completion of demarcation work on 3.2 western foreshore road by December-31, Lieutenant Governor said that the project will change face of Dal and will not only serve as the physical boundary of the lake but also will be an added attraction to the tourists. He said that various recreational spots including eating points, sitting places and small local markets under PPP mode would also be set up alongside the road.
He said that the road coming up between Mumta Hotel to Saida Kadal stretch shall also prevent further encroachments of the lake. He said it should come up in line with the master plan with proper rehabilitation of local dwellers.
Lieutenant Governor stressed concerned to come up with a proper plan for the rehabilitation of 4498 families which are likely to get affected with the road construction. He said that affected families should be ideally relocated and rehabilitated at separate Dal Dweller colonies with all basic amenities to be provided to them.
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