Bukhari convenes meet to review situation

SRINAGAR: Minister for Public Works Department Altaf Ahmad Bukhari convened a high-level meet of the divisional administration here today to take stock of the situation arising in view of incessant rains in the Valley and to ensure protection of life and property in case of any eventuality.

Minister for Public Works Department Altaf Bukhari take stock of the waterlogged streets in Srinagar on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Yawar Kabli

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 29

Minister for Public Works Department Altaf Ahmad Bukhari convened a high-level meet of the divisional administration here today to take stock of the situation arising in view of incessant rains in the Valley and to ensure protection of life and property in case of any eventuality.

While also reviewing the ongoing dewatering of inundated and low-lying areas of the city, Bukhari told the administration to speed-up the process and ensure complete dewatering of all areas, an official release said here.

The minister asked the divisional administration to take every step for the protection of life and property of the people and directed the Chief Engineer, Flood Control, to ensure immediate sandbagging of vulnerable points at the Jehlum banks. The Chief Engineer was also directed to set up a departmental control room to monitor the situation 24x7 and to gear up men and machinery to combat any eventuality.

“The Inspector General of Police was asked to set up a control room to enable people to contact the police force in case of emergency. The minister also asked the authorities concerned to ensure speed up process of dewatering of all low-lying and inundated areas of city,” the statement said.

On the occasion, Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Sports, Imran Raza Ansari, Minister of State for Social Welfare, Asiya Naqash were also present

Earlier, Bukhari accompanied by his other Cabinet colleagues visited the inundated areas of the city, including Lal Ded, Kursoo Rajbagh, Tengpora Bypass, Bemina, Baghat, Barzulla, Jehangir Chowk, Karan Nagar, Khanyar, Batamaloo, Fateh Kadal, Baba Demb, Munawarabad, Nowpora, Jama Masjid, Hazratbal, Amira Kadal, Kothibagh, SMHS, Nowpora, Zadibal, Nowshera, Lal Bazar and interior areas of Dal.

Among others the meeting was attended by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Inspector General of Police, Chief Engineer, R&B, PHE, Flood Control, and SMC Commissioner.