Paul for focus on disaster-prone areas, reviews preparedness

Tribune News service

Dehradun, June 24

Governor KK Paul today sought information about disaster management preparedness in the state in view of the advent of monsoon.

The Governor held a meeting with Amit Negi, secretary, Disaster Management and AS Hyanki, secretary, PWD, to get information about the preparations for disaster management.

He said with the onset of rainy season, focus was needed on areas prone to floods and landslides. Early warning systems and doppler radar systems must be operated soon. Disaster management rehearsals should be held and the persons concerned should remain alert, Paul stated.

A special survey of areas where houses were on river banks must be done and roads blocked by landslides must be cleared. All relief possible should be provided to locals, tourists and pilgrims, the Governor told the officials.

He said road safety must be ensured during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra.

The officials informed the Governor that 350 JCB machines had been placed on the yatra route to clear any landslides and mudslides. He was also informed that the work on Balliwala and Ballupur flyovers would be completed by June 30 and August 31, respectively.

Paul said before the flyovers began operating, road safety must be ensured and people should not be inconvenienced. Arun Dhaundiyal, OSD and secretary to the Governor; Amit Negi, secretary, Disaster Management; AS Hyanki, secretary, PWD; PWD chief engineer and National highway engineer attended the meeting.

Governor presented book on Swami Vivekananda

The Governor Dr KK Paul was presented a book titled ‘Swami Vivekananda: Footprints in Uttarakhand Himalaya’, which has been written by Dr Shuchismita Sengupta Pande, in Dehradun on Friday. Besides the book, the Governor was presented with a calendar based on the same theme.

The Governor appreciated her creativity and said the book would be of great value to those who wished to know about Swami Vivekananda’s life. Dr Pande is additional commissioner in Food and Civil Supplies Department.