Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today convened a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to assess the post-snowfall situation across Kashmir region besides reviewing the availability of essential services in the region.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, deliberated on the overall progress of snow clearance measures and restoration of essential services in the affected areas.

The Deputy Chief Minister stressed that a coordinated and proactive approach among all departments is essential to effectively manage the post-snowfall situation. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to remain on their toes and ensure unhindered availability of essential services, including power, water supply, healthcare, food supplies and road connectivity.

He instructed that snow clearance operations be intensified, with priority given towards ensuring two-lane road clearance wherever possible, particularly on major roads and the National Highway, to facilitate smooth to-and-fro traffic and normal public movement. He assessed the district-wise status of snow clearance and directed the officers to strictly follow the directions issued by the MLAs, MPs, the Divisional Commissioner and district administrations.

Reviewing the power sector, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the KPDCL to maintain adequate buffer stock of transformers and ensure prompt restoration of electricity in affected areas. He also emphasized that adequate water supply be maintained, with water tankers deployed in vulnerable and affected localities.

On food and health services, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to plug any loopholes in supply chains and ensure sufficient availability of essentials. He asked for maintaining cleanliness in hospitals and ensuring uninterrupted medical services.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation was directed to remain fully prepared for sanitation and allied services.

The Director, Airport Authority of India, informed the meeting that the Srinagar Airport was made functional within eight hours and around 11,200 tourists have arrived in the Valley yesterday. The BRO informed that snow clearance operations are underway in various areas including Pahalgam.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the need for continuous inter-departmental communication, improvement in tanker services wherever required with timely updates to the concerned ministries. He appreciated the collective efforts of all the departments and called for sustained coordination to facilitate early restoration of normal life across the Kashmir region.

The meeting was attended by MLA Lolab, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone; Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir; Brigadier Chirag from BRO, Managing Director, KPDCL (through VC); SSP Traffic,  Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Chief Engineers KPDCL, Jal Shakti, PMGSY, MED and PWD (R&B); Directors of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Health Services, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Tourism and Urban Local Bodies besides Director Airport Authority of India, Srinagar.

Besides,  Regional Officers of NHAI/NHIDCL; Chief Engineer, BRO; Chief Area Manager, Northern Railways and other senior officers and officials also attended the meeting.