By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked the administration to ensure early restoration of essential supplies including power and water supply in the snow hit areas of Jammu & Kashmir even as he talked with 19 deputy commissioners to know about the situation arising out of the continued snowfall in different parts of the State.
The Chief Minister had telephonic conversation with the Deputy Commissioners of Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipore, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Leh, Kargil, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban and Reasi and enquired about the post-snowfall situation. He asked the concerned deputy commissioners to take all measures to ensure that people did not suffer on account of disruption in supplies.
Azad issued instructions to clear of snow all district and major link roads on priority and restore plying of public transport. He also asked the administration to set up price monitoring committees and keep constant vigil on prices of commodities.
The Chief Minister specifically enquired about areas like Gurez, Tulel, Kanzalwan, Dawar and Tangdhar in Kashmir Valley, Zanaskar in Kargil district and Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan in Jammu division which remain cut off for six to seven months in winter. Some areas like Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan still do not have road connectivity. Areas like Gurez, Tulel, Kanzalwan, Dawar, Tangdhar have had 9 ft to 11 ft snow while Warwan, Marwah and Dachhan had 5 ft to 7 ft snow.
The Chief Minister asked the concerned Deputy Commissioners to ensure that people in these areas did not face inconvenience and were provided all possible help in case of need. He asked them to take help from security forces if the situation so demanded.
In the afternoon, the Chief Minister had video-conference with the divisional administration in the Valley to get an update on the situation. Minister of State for Power, Babu Singh, Chief Secretary, B. R. Kundal and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anil Goswami were present.
The Chief Minister sought information about the situation of essential supplies and asked the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir to liaise with the army for preventing any loss of human life in the event of avalanches in areas like Gurez, Tulel and Tangdhar. He also asked the administration to watch out against falling of electric poles and transmission lines.
The Chief Minister was assured that the administration was fully geared up to meet the challenge thrown up by the heavy snowfall. Men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear roads of snow and ensure essential supplies. A close watch was also maintained on the market to check profiteering. He was also informed that all district and main town roads were through and the supply position of the LPG in the valley was satisfactory. Stocks of LPG for 13 days was available,
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister today visited some development projects in Jammu City to take stock of the pace of work. He visited the upcoming office complex of the Divisional Commissioner and the Udyog Bhawan at Railhead. Work on these multi-crore projects was apace with Chief Minister emphasizing on their completion within the stipulated timeframe.
With the completion of the new spacious complex, the Divisional Commissioner’s office would shift to the Railhead while the multi-storey Udyog Bhawan would house all departments and corporations under the industries and commerce department.
The Chief Minister also visited the site of the convention complex at Canal. The project had been abandoned after starting construction in October 1998. He said the project would be revived and the much needed facility made available in the winter capital.