Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Initiates Joint Control Rooms for Winter Complaints

Srinagar, Dec 24 (NationPress) In a bid to guarantee the continuous and effective provision of crucial services and the operation of essential facilities throughout the Kashmir region, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a significant meeting in Srinagar on Tuesday. During this meeting, he instructed the formation of joint control rooms in each district to swiftly address winter-related grievances, as indicated by an official communication.

The report noted that the gathering assessed the readiness of various departments to confront the difficulties introduced by severe winter weather, especially in the snow-affected areas of the Kashmir Valley and Jammu division.

The Chief Minister conducted a thorough review of winter preparedness initiatives across all relevant departments.

He stressed the necessity for a robust system to lessen public hardships during extreme weather events.

Additionally, the Chief Minister interacted with Deputy Commissioners to evaluate district-specific readiness and urged them to prioritize timely and effective responses to weather-related issues.

Omar Abdullah emphasized the significance of keeping personnel and equipment prepared to ensure the normal operation of essential services.

He instructed relevant departments to focus on maintaining uninterrupted trade, transportation, and essential supplies while mitigating disruptions caused by snow, flooding, or power failures.

Regarding snow removal, the Chief Minister was informed that a sufficient number of advanced snow clearance machines have been deployed, with extra machines on standby for heavy snowfall.

He directed the responsible authorities to prioritize clearing key routes, including inter-district highways and access routes to hospitals, power plants, water supply systems, and emergency services.

The meeting revealed that there are adequate supplies of rations, petrol, diesel, and LPG available to meet the residents' requirements for several months.

Additional measures have been implemented to ensure timely distribution across districts.

The Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of a rapid response system to minimize public inconvenience and ensure smooth delivery of essential services.

In reviewing the health sector's preparedness, the Chief Minister directed the Health department to secure sufficient stocks of medications, oxygen cylinders, and emergency supplies in all hospitals.

He also underscored the importance of maintaining functional heating systems in healthcare facilities and deploying medical staff in snow-covered regions.

Instructions were given to provide transportation for expecting mothers in remote areas.

Stressing the critical nature of an uninterrupted power supply during winter, the Chief Minister instructed Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited engineers to prioritize electricity restoration, especially for essential facilities.

He called for the prompt replacement of damaged transformers and emphasized the need to equip field staff with proper safety gear to prevent accidents during repair operations.

Omar Abdullah reiterated the importance of maintaining road connectivity and effective traffic management.

He instructed agencies to deploy adequate manpower and resources for snow removal on national highways, primary roads, and internal routes, ensuring minimal disruption to public movement.

Concluding the meeting, the Chief Minister urged all departments to collaborate and adopt proactive measures to reduce the effects of severe winter conditions.

He reaffirmed his dedication to minimizing public inconvenience and ensuring the efficient delivery of essential services across the region.

The Chief Minister instructed the Public Health Engineering Department to distribute sufficient water tankers in affected areas to avert water shortages during extreme weather.

Moreover, he directed the Forest Department to guarantee an adequate supply of firewood in snow-affected regions.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the need for collaboration among various departments and mandated the continuous operation of District Control Rooms to maintain and update records of vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women in snow-blocked areas.

He stressed that such cases should be relocated to maternity centers well before their delivery dates.

For areas susceptible to roadblocks, the Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure helicopter services are established for regions that remain inaccessible.

During the meeting, Omar Abdullah reiterated that all preparedness strategies should be practical and actionable, ensuring their effectiveness when tested.

He called for seamless interdepartmental coordination and instructed Deputy Commissioners to maintain regular contact with field officers to swiftly address arising challenges.