Ahead of fresh snowfall/rainfall prediction by Meteorological department chaired a high-level meeting to review the winter preparedness of the Public Works (R&B) department, NHAI, BEACON, Project SAMPARK and other sister agencies at the Civil Secretariat. Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar while addressing the officers said that the J&K Administration has significantly enhanced its machinery and other related equipment which will ensure substantial improvement in addressing snow clearance and other critical winter-related challenges than the previous years.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B) department, Shailendra Kumar; Commissioner SMC, Athar Amir; Chief Engineers of R&B Jammu/Kashmir, Chief Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Engineering department, Chief Engineer PMGSY Jammu/Kashmir, Chief Engineer Project SAMPARK, Chief Engineer Beacon, RO NHAI, Jammu/Kashmir, Executive Director, NHIDCL and other concerned officers both in person and through video conferencing.
While addressing the officers, Advisor Bhatnagar remarked that “maintaining critical infrastructure, road networks, and mechanical systems is of paramount importance during winters and this department has a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and convenience of citizens during this season”.
The Advisor further said that the J & K government has significantly enhanced its machinery and other related equipment than previous years and therefore it should be ensured that the machinery is available at the designated places for their timely deployment during ensuing winters. Laying special emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity during winters, Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officers to deploy the snow-clearing machinery and equipment in critical habitations as well as in hospitals well in advance so as to avoid any exigency due to uneven snowfall.
The Advisor also stressed upon the officers of road agencies to work in coordination and synergy with each other so that better services are provided to the general public. He also enjoined the officers to procure the necessary machinery by the end of October for timely deployment.
While reviewing other measures of the department and other agencies, Advisor Bhatnagar called upon the officers to maintain communication down to the last man, highlighting that cross-sectional and cross-departmental communication is important for dealing with any kind of exigency. He also asked them to conduct a dry run of the existing communication network system in convergence with other departments for the timely improvement of any service. He directed the concerned officers to adopt a meticulous approach to address the requirements of the general public; particularly those living in critical and snow-bound areas. He asked the officers to be responsive to the general public to address their genuine concerns during any kind of eventuality in winter.
The Advisor also asked the officers to deploy adequate machinery in the hospitals as well as along the roads leading to hospitals so that the health care services as well as emergency transportation and police assistance are not affected.
During the meeting, the concerned Chief Engineers as well as the representatives of raid agencies gave detailed presentations on the plan of action of their respective agencies regarding the snow clearance operations.
