Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 12: Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey today urged the divisional administration of the valley to expedite the restoration of essential services and clearance of snow from roads for smooth plying of traffic. He instructed dewatering of inundated areas due to recent heavy snowfall.
Mr. Khandey expressed satisfaction over the restoration works being carried out and directed complete restoration of power supply and ensuring better healthcare facilities in all the health institutions of the Valley.
Chief Secretary was addressing a divisional level officers meeting to assess the situation arising out of the heavy snowfall in the valley.
Among others the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B. Vyas, Principal Secretary, PDD, A. K. Mehta, Commissioner-Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar, IG, Kashmir, A. G. Mir, Commissioner/Secretaries besides Chief Engineers and HoDs of various Departments.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir informed the meeting that due to heavy snowfall about 600 structures have been partially damaged in different parts of the valley and the field functionaries have been instructed to submit the damage assessment report for early relief to the affected families.
The meeting was informed that 75 dewatering pumps, 45 mobile pumps and 15 Fire and Emergency tenders were put in service to clear water from various inundated areas of the city besides snow was cleared from the compounds of various hospitals on priority to ensure hassle free movement of people for medicare facilities.
The meeting was told that the progress of snow clearance on the National Highway has been speeded up besides road upto Jawahar tunnel was made operational within hours despite heavy snow and rest work is apace.
Chief Engineer, BEACON informed the meeting that roads from Baramulla to Chowkibal were also made traffic worthy whileas 105 snow cutter machines were put in service by Mechanical Engineering department.
With regard to restoration of power, which was disrupted mainly due to felling of trees, the meeting was told that 60 percent of power supply has been restored today and it is expected that 90 percent restoration will be assured by tomorrow and day after tomorrow will be restored completely. Emergency services to all the hospitals with regard to power and water supply were restored on priority, the meeting was told.
The Chief Secretary was informed that all the associated hospitals of GMC Srinagar including G.B. Panth hospital are functioning smoothly and adequate medicines are available in all the hospitals of the valley.
The meeting was told that movement of train in the Valley has been restored and stranded passengers have been ferried to and fro Budgam and Banihal. Similarly the Srinagar International Airport was made operational and many flights landed and took off.
Later, the Chief Secretary accompanied by divisional administration visited Hazratbal, Saidakadal, Rainawari, Khanyar, Nawpora, Dalgate besides other down town areas of the city. During the visit, snow clearance and other restoration works were inspected.
The Chief Secretary also visited JLNM hospital Rainawari to enquire about the facilities being made available to the patients and interacted with the admitted patients in the hospital.
Follow our WhatsApp channel