In Udhampur, Covid fight puts officers’ grit, indomitable spirit to test

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

JAMMU, MAY 13

In Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, the fight against Coronavirus has been testing the patience and grit of civil and police officials, who have been working round the clock to keep people safe and reunite those stranded with their families.

The arrival of special trains from different parts of the country at the Udhampur railway station– the central point for all trains carrying stranded people to the UT –has made their task more challenging and tough. The effective planning and coordination have not only paid them good results but also won them appreciation from various quarters.

“For the past two months, we are fighting this battle and it’s a huge challenge. The government has reposed its faith in the Udhampur district and decided that all trains would come to our district. Definitely, people stuck outside J&K had great expectations from us and it is a matter of satisfaction and happiness that we are able to reunite them with their families,” said Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Piyush Singla.

“Last night, I went to my residence around 12.30 am and again reached the railway station at 3 am. This is not my situation only. All our officials are working passionately and doing a wonderful job in this testing time,” he maintained.

So far, four trains with more than 4,000 stranded people from different parts of the country have reached Udhampur and people were sent to their respective districts in a planned manner, following all guidelines and protocols issued by the MHA.

“It is really a big administrative challenge. All exigencies and social distancing have been kept in mind while planning for de-boarding of passengers. We are also providing meals to passengers before sending them to their native districts. A lot of work is being done at the backend as it is a huge task to send away all passengers of a train (around 1,100) after their registration in just two hours, which needs great planning and coordination. A lot of detailing (to officers) and mock drills have been done to execute this task,” Singla said.

The “excellent work, better planning and coordination” by civil and police officials, led by the Deputy Commissioner, have earned them a lot of appreciation from their seniors as well as civil society members.