SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed departments and agencies across Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen winter preparedness, ensure coordinated snow clearance and maintain essential services in areas vulnerable to heavy snowfall and prolonged disruption of road connectivity.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review winter arrangements, Abdullah stressed the need for clear responsibilities among road-maintaining agencies and directed the designation of nodal officers to coordinate snow clearance operations and prevent roads from being left unattended because of a lack of coordination.
He called for advance deployment of men and machinery, effective monitoring and synchronised operations by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, Mechanical Engineering Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), urban local bodies and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), among other agencies.
Reviewing electricity supply arrangements, the Chief Minister directed the Power Development Department and distribution companies to adhere strictly to notified power curtailment schedules. He said consumers should be informed promptly about any unscheduled interruptions caused by technical faults or other unavoidable circumstances.
Abdullah also stressed that field staff must not impose additional power cuts at their own discretion. Any changes to approved schedules must be authorised at the appropriate level, with consumers informed through suitable channels, he said.
The meeting reviewed arrangements for stocking ration, LPG and other essential commodities in snowbound areas, alongside measures to maintain electricity, drinking water and healthcare services during severe weather.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal presented winter preparedness plans for their respective divisions.
Particular attention was given to areas prone to heavy snowfall and prolonged isolation, including Gurez, Machhil and Karnah, as well as parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Kathua.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to identify vulnerable residents in advance and ensure access to emergency medical care during periods when road connectivity is disrupted. The arrangements reviewed included 4×4 ambulances, helicopter services wherever required and tracking maternity cases in vulnerable areas to facilitate timely medical assistance.
He directed departments to coordinate closely with district administrations and maintain effective communication between field staff and district authorities to address emerging challenges without delay.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Javed Rana and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwini Kumar, and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta.
Administrative secretaries, deputy commissioners, senior police officers, Director Information J&K, managing directors of the Jammu and Kashmir distribution companies, heads of departments and other officials also attended. Officers stationed outside Srinagar joined the meeting through video conferencing.
