Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 4: Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General Border Roads (DGBR), today called on Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, at the Civil Secretariat here.
The DGBR was accompanied by Brig Rakesh Kumar Mishra, Chief Engineer Project Sampark, and Col Vishal Kumar Srivastava, Technical Secretary to DGBR.
During the meeting, Lt Gen Srinivasan apprised the Chief Secretary about the ongoing measures being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to restore inter-divisional connectivity across J&K, particularly in the aftermath of the recent flood-like situation. He informed that men and machinery have been mobilized on a war footing to ensure early restoration of road services across theUT.
The DGBR shared an updated status of various key road stretches currently under restoration and briefed about the anticipated timelines for reopening of the key arterial roads of J&K.
He reiterated the commitment of the BRO to make these vital links motorable at the earliest possible time and assured full readiness to facilitate the smooth movement of essential supplies and traffic.
The Chief Secretary, while interacting with the DGBR, emphasized the crucial role of road connectivity for the sustenance of the mountainous region of J&K. He highlighted that apart from being vital for the transport of essential commodities, these roads also carry immense strategic importance.
Underscoring the urgency of the task, he also called for doubling efforts to ensure early completion of restoration works. He noted that in a hilly region like J&K, roads are the lifelines for its inhabitants and expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the BRO in maintaining and restoring these crucial stretches despite facing formidable challenges.
The Chief Secretary conveyed confidence that the BRO would once again live up to public expectations by restoring vital road connectivity in record time and assured the Organisation of full cooperation and support from the civil administration.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary chaired two separate meetings with Administrative Secretaries, which were also attended by the concerned Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of the districts, to review the situation in flood-affected areas and assess the progress of ongoing restoration efforts.
During the meetings, the Chief Secretary took a detailed appraisal of the damage caused to public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and other essential facilities. He also reviewed the availability of basic civic amenities such as power, drinking water, and sanitation services in the affected regions.
The Chief Secretary further directed the Health Department to intensify awareness campaigns on potential health hazards in flood-hit areas and to organize special health camps to safeguard public well-being.
He also emphasized the importance of conducting safety audits of all flood-affected schools and ensuring proper hygiene measures before resuming regular academic activities, stressing that no compromises should be made in this regard.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the stock position of essential commodities, including food grains, fuel, and petroleum products, and sought updates on the pace of restoration work being carried out on damaged roads across the UT.
The Chief Secretary underscored the urgent need to expedite restoration efforts, ensuring timely relief to the affected population, and relocate vulnerable communities to safer locations wherever necessary.
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