Chief Secretary reviews restoration of power supply, road clearance amidst snowfall in Kashmir Valley, parts of Jammu Division

08/11/2019

JAMMU, Nov 7: Following heavy and continuous snowfall in Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu Division, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrah-manyam Thursday held an extensive video conference with the divisional and district administration of Kashmir and Jammu Division and impressed upon them to work 24x7 to ensure that power supply is restored & roads are cleared of snow by Friday evening.
At the outset, Chief Secretary observed that Lieutenant Governor in his first informal interaction with the Administrative Secretaries at Civil Secretariat Srinagar emphasised on complete winter preparedness so that in the event of harsh winter, all basic necessities in particular power, water, food and petroleum products are made available to people without any interruption. He had also stressed upon gearing up the official machinery to keep in readiness the restoration / contingency plans in this regard. Administrative Secretaries of PDD and DMRR&R and Additional DG SDRF & Home Guard, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Deputy Commiss-ioner (DC), Jammu, DC Reasi and other officers attended the meeting. Divisional Commi-ssioner, Kashmir and DCs of Kashmir Division participated through Video Conference.
The heavy and continuous snowfall has resulted in trees or tree branches felling on transmission lines because of which power infrastructure in both south and north Kashmir has been damaged. As a result, power supply in entire Kashmir Division has been badly affected. Power supply has also been affected in various districts of Jammu Division.
Chief Secretary directed divisional and district administration Kashmir to ensure that the action plan for restoration of power supply is implemented swiftly and damaged power lines restored by Friday evening i.e 8th of November, 2019. "Along with undertaking the restoration of the damaged transmission lines, simultaneously, also activate the Emergency Restoration System", Chief Secretary stressed on Chief Engineers of PDD and added that restoration of power supply is critical for functioning of other services and resumption of routine activities.
Chief Secretary directed Commissioner/ Secretary, PDD to ensure that the buffer stock of transformers earmarked for distribution reach all the districts by next Monday. Commissi-oner/ Secretary, PDD was also asked to look into the requirement of transformers for the receiving stations in District Anantnag and District Bandipora. He was also asked to look into issues relating to power in Kishtwar & Poonch Districts of Jammu Division. The PDD was further directed to prune the trees coming in the alignment of transmission lines immediately after the weather improves.
Divisional Commiss-ioner, Kashmir informed that 360 transformers are already available as buffer stock in the divisional stores and these will be despatched to the districts, if needed. Chief Secretary directed Divisional Commi-ssioner, Kashmir to keep him updated regarding the restoration of power supply thrice a day.
Divisional Commissi-oner, Kashmir said that 156 snow clearing Machines of the Mechanical Engineering Wing and 400 of the PW (R&B) have been pressed into service for clearing priority 1 and priority 2 roads across Kashmir Valley. He said men and machinery of the Municipalities and Town Area Committees have been deployed to clear lanes and by lanes in Srinagar City and other Towns. Teams from SDRF and Home Guards have been kept at standby to assist the Civil Admini-stration in case of any emergency. Further, the Divisional Admini-stration has tied up with Army and CRPF for rendering assistance, as may be required, for evacuation of the stranded person(s).
Divisional Commiss-ioner, Kashmir said that due to disruption in power supply, Gensets have been put to use in Hospitals for lighting and heating purposes. He said the date for commencement of the Central Heating System in Hospitals has been advanced in view of the inclement weather. He said all major Water Supply Schemes are functioning and gensets are being used, wherever, required for supplying water to consumers. Chief Secretary directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to ensure supply of potable water to people including through water tanks, where ever, needed.
Divisional Commiss-ioner, Kashmir informed that 80 Pump Stations and 115 Mobile Pump Stations besides fire tenders of the Fire & Emergency Services Department are available for de-watering in Srinagar City. Chief Secretary received brief from the DCs regarding damage to orchards, standing crops, apple produce, transformers, transmission lines, road clearance and about the stock and supply position. He asked DCs to constitute teams to assess the damage caused to the orchards and other crops after weather improves and submit their reports through their respective Divisional Commissioners.

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