In flood-stricken Jammu and Kashmir, people need tangible relief and rescue efforts, not just announcements, as landslides and bridge collapses hinder aid.
The timely intervention of the Home Minister Amit Shah in the relief and rescue operation after the recent flooding in Jammu region has undoubtedly given a sense of respite and relief to the flood victims but barely a day after his visit to Jammu city yet another spell of flooding has caused extensive damage to both the private and public infrastructure equally in Kashmir Valley also. Currently both Jammu division and as well as Kashmir Valley are in the grip of devastating floods. In fact two consecutive spells of flooding in less than a week’s time have destroyed crops, flattened homes and damaged vital public infrastructure equally in Jammu division and Kashmir Valley. Hapless populations are marooned of livelihoods of people have been washed away by the second spell of flooding across Jammu & Kashmir. At a time when people expect decisive actions token announcements without accelerating the pace of relief and rescue operation can’t bring any respite to the flood populations in either Kashmir valley or Jammu division. Fact remains that most of the flooded populations are grappling with landslides and collapsed bridges besides which the restoration of traffic on closed Jammu-Srinagar highway is not heading to any dead end. Home Minister only a day before the second spell of flooding Wednesday this week chaired a high-level review meeting in Jammu to assess the functioning of the current government setup in Jammu and Kashmir and his intervention comes at a crucial time. As the surge in public grievances has made it increasingly clear that governance practices across departments require significant improvement the Home Minister’s intervention has activated the process of the restoration of key public services.
“After reviewing relief and rescue operations, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s renewed focus on restoring services can bring relief to flood-affected people in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu division. By accelerating the process of restoring key public services through better coordination between departments, the government can rebuild public confidence and bring services to the people in the flooded areas.”
While people are demanding accountability, transparency, and efficiency, Home Minister’s review signals a determined step toward addressing these concerns. One of the foremost challenges identified is the issue of accountability and timely restoration of transport services on key highways connecting Kashmir Valley with Jammu division and rest of the country. Experiences have shown that delays in execution not only frustrate the public but also stall the growth and progress of the region. The present system of restoration work is painfully slow, creating inefficiencies that delay accessibility of people to basic services. This sluggishness undermines the government’s ability to deliver essential services and infrastructure on schedule. If executed with sincerity and determination, the renewed focus on restoration of services in the backdrop of the review of the relief and rescue operations by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah can bring respite to flooded populations in both Kashmir Valley and as well as Jammu division. By accelerating the process of the restoration of key public service through better inter-departmental coordination, the government can rebuild public confidence and take the services at the doorsteps of the people in the flooded areas in both Kashmir Valley and as well as Jammu division.
