CM reviews snow clearance ops, orders restoration of essential services in Valley

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a video conference meeting on Saturday with district officials across Jammu and Kashmir to review snow clearance operations and the restoration of essential services following the heavy snowfall that severely affected the Kashmir valley.

The meeting, held at the video conference hall in Ganderbal, was attended in person by Adviser to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal Shyambir, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Ganderbal and other senior district officials.

During the meeting, Deputy Commissioners provided updates on the progress of snow clearance efforts, restoration of power and water supply and the ongoing emergency response to tackle the inclement weather. The CM directed the Deputy Commissioners to personally supervise snow clearance operations, “emphasising the need to obtain photographic evidence of cleared areas to ensure thorough removal and prevent freezing road conditions as temperatures drop.” He called for a “proactive approach, urging officials to deploy adequate manpower and machinery on the ground.”

The Chief Minister also instructed district administrations to provide regular two-hourly updates to both the Chief Minister’s office and the Chief Secretary’s office to keep the government informed on the evolving situation.

The Chief Engineer of Public Health Engineering (PHE) informed the CM that “90 per cent of the water supply across the Valley has been restored, with efforts underway to address the remaining ten per cent.”

“The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu reported that power and water supply in Jammu districts remained unaffected, while the Chief Secretary confirmed steady progress in restoring electricity feeders and assured that district hospitals were functioning smoothly,” the spokesperson said.

The CM stressed the importance of ensuring 100 per cent attendance of doctors and paramedical staff at all district and sub-district hospitals to effectively manage emergencies.

Special instructions were also issued to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to coordinate with the airport authorities to assist stranded tourists and provide transportation, if required.

The Kashmir Divisional Commissioner assured that the sufficient stocks of essential commodities, including food and other civil supplies, were available in all districts.

Later in the day, the Chief Minister visited the District Hospital, Ganderbal, to assess the facilities and services available to patients during the inclement weather. Omar reiterated his commitment to enhancing healthcare services, emphasising the need to address critical gaps. He directed the hospital authorities to strictly enforce the duty roster to ensure uninterrupted services to avoid inconvenience to patients.