Jammu: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Tuesday held an extensive video conference with the District Administrations of Kashmir and Jammu divisions asking them to work 24×7 and with unflinching commitment to ensure that 100% power supply is restored and roads are cleared of snow across Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Managing Director, KPDCL, Mohammad Aijaz Asad and Chief Engineer (Distribution) Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Dar.
Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division and Ramban district, Chief Engineer KPDCL, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Kashmir, Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir, Chief Engineer (Mechanical) Kashmir and other officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Advisor took a detailed district wise review of the power scenario, road connectivity, water supply, essential supplies, disaster management, road clearance, food supplies, petroleum products and other issues. He emphasized on provision of all basic services to the people in particular power, water, road connectivity, food and petroleum products without any interruption.
Advisor directed the DCs that the response teams in their respective districts should be kept on alert and keep informing the control room about the situation on half hourly basis. He directed them to keep the disaster centres ready in full capacity so as to cater to the emergency situations. He directed the officers to keep a close eye on the upper reaches which are avalanche prone and keep making continuous announcements required for the safety of people. He also said evacuation teams should be kept ready to cater to any exigencies adding that the DCs and other officers should take feedback from the Panchayati Raj Representatives in restoration of essential services.
Advisor asked the DCs and heads of the departments to highlight any additional support needed to mitigate the crisis.
The concerned DCs said they are continuously monitoring the situation and are taking steps as the situation is unfolding.
The details with regard to restoration of power supply, essential supplies to hospitals, road clearances and position of supplies were given by the Deputy Commissioners of both the divisions.
DCs apprised that restoration efforts are in full swing to restore power supply and restore other essential supplies in their districts affected by snowfall. They informed that teams of line departments are being deputed to different locations to address the grievance of people on real time basis. They informed that majority of the feeders and receiving stations have been restored.
Regarding response of the district administration with regard to health emergency, DCs informed that power is being restored in the essential institutions and expecting pregnant women are being evacuated in advance to the health institutions.
DC Srinagar informed that all 36, 33 KV lines stand restored and 246 out of 258 11 KV feeders also stand restored adding that only 7 distribution transformers have been damaged out of 6505.
In Budgam, all the 10, 33 KV lines stand restored and out of 93, 11 KV lines, 55 stand restored while as DC Ganderbal informed that all the 08, 33 KV lines stand restored and out of 43 feeders, 33 stand restored.
DC Baramulla informed that all 17 (33 KV) lines stand restored and 140, 11 KV feeder out of 157 have also been restored. Out of 5081, only 12 transformers have been damaged while in Kupwara all 08, 33 KV lines stand restored and 50, out of 68 11 KV lines have been restored.
DC Bandipora informed that all the 03 (33 KV) lines stand restored and 35 out of 43 feeders have also been restored.
DC Shopian apprised that 02 out of 33 KV line and 20 out of 32, 11 KV lines stand restored while as DC Pulwama informed that 12 out of 14, 33 KV lines and 40 out of 87 feeders stand restored.
Similarly, DC Anantnag informed that 08 out of 11, 33 KV lines and 40 out of 109 feeders, 11 KV lines stand restored. He also said 27 passengers have been evacuated from Ujar and shifted to the Disaster center where all facilities are being made available to them.
DC Kulgam informed that 03 out of 7, 33 KV lines and 20 feeders stand restored out of 48.
Chief Engineer, Distribution Kashmir conveyed that the load supplied by the Grid at 3.45 PM is 1032 MWs against a peak hour supply of 1390 to 1425 MW which is further improving with every passing hour.
Deputy Commissioner, Ramban apprised about the restoration of National Highway, the challenges with regard to inclement weather saying that serious efforts are being made to open the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at the earliest.
Regarding the tourists staying at Gulmarg, the DC Baramulla informed that dedicated snow cutters have been kept to clear the snow around the hotels so that they may not face any problem.
DC Kupwara sought dumping of additional material from PDD for repairing of transformers which was immediately given and PDD was asked to supply them the required material for early restoration of transformers.
The Control Rooms in all the districts are in place and working 24X7 while the departmental Control Rooms also functioning 24X7. Besides, essential supplies in all the districts are sufficient and expected to suffice for two weeks.
Regarding snow clearance, DCs informed that the ‘Priority -1’ road connectivity in all the districts has been cleared. The ‘Priority – 2’ road connectivity in all the districts range between 50 to 70% and clearance of inner link roads is in progress.
DCs informed that men and machinery of the Municipalities and Town Area Committees of their respective districts have been pressed into service to clear roads, lanes and by lanes.
Regarding the water supply in their respective districts, the DCs informed that about 95 percent percent of the schemes are functional while work is in full swing to restore it fully.
Advisor directed all the Deputy Commissioners to reach to the expectations of the general public and try their best to mitigate the problems arising due to the inclement weather and its fall out. He stressed upon the need to maintain oxygen supplies, medicines and other medical facilities at all the hospitals and Primary Health Centres. He further laid emphasis on supply of essential supplies viz ration, gas and other basic amenities to the masses. He asked KPDCL to maintain the pace of restoration and ensure that the ground staff work 24X7 during these trying times.
