SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, to review the status of essential services and supplies amid the ongoing summer season in the Jammu division. The Chief Minister emphasised strict adherence to the curtailment schedule of the Power Development Department (PDD), calling for minimum power outages and steps to prevent the overheating of power lines and transformers.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and other senior officials attended the meeting. Officers based in Srinagar participated through virtual mode.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, presented an overview of departmental preparedness. It was informed that JPDCL has arranged buffer stocks of transformers and structured curtailment slots to avoid grid overload during peak summer demand.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the functioning of the Jal Shakti Department and Jammu Municipal Corporation. He instructed immediate deployment of water tankers to areas facing water scarcity, particularly in newly populated localities. He further directed the departments to expedite the completion of ongoing water supply schemes to ensure long-term relief.
Addressing the health sector, the meeting was informed that medical supplies were sufficiently stocked and awareness activities about heat-related illnesses were being undertaken, especially for vulnerable groups.
The Chief Minister also took stock of the Forest Department’s fire response strategy and the readiness of Fire & Emergency Services, calling for heightened vigilance during the dry season. The preparedness of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, including canal desilting and flood mitigation planning, was also discussed. Control rooms have been established to manage any monsoon-related emergencies.
The Department of Food and Civil Supplies reported that sufficient stocks were available under all public welfare schemes.
In view of the upcoming Muharram observances and the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025, the Chief Minister was briefed on the arrangements. These include designated routes for Muharram processions and preparations ranging from RFID tagging, registration and lodgement centres to langar services for the Yatra.
Omar Abdullah directed officials to ensure wide public awareness regarding the cut-off timings for travel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which will apply equally to pilgrims and tourists during the Yatra period.
