Bandipora, Oct 09: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib on Friday chaired a comprehensive meeting to review winter preparedness for Gurez and Tulail at Dak Bungalow, Badugam, Tulail, with concerned district and sectoral officers.
The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted essential services, timely snow clearance, road connectivity, availability of essential commodities and adequate healthcare arrangements in the snowbound areas ahead of the winter season.
Reviewing the status of roads, bridges and ongoing infrastructure projects, the DC sought details from the concerned engineering departments, including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and PMGSY. She directed the officers to expedite pending works, resolve bottlenecks and road alignment issues, and adhere to strict timelines to ensure completion of critical projects before heavy snowfall.
The DC stressed the need for advance planning and effective coordination among BRO, Roads and Buildings (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) for timely snow clearance. She directed the concerned departments to submit road-wise snow clearance plans to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Gurez, and ensure the availability of adequate machinery, equipment and manpower, with priority to main roads and vital link roads.
On the occasion, SDM Gurez, Mukhtar Ahmad highlighted the requirement for snow clearance machinery at Razdan Top and Kanzalwan, particularly for clearing the Z-Khushi curve and Rane Mode. The issue regarding mechanised snow clearance of the Dawar helipad was also discussed. The DC directed the Executive Engineers of PWD and MED to formulate a coordinated plan to ensure timely clearance of the helipad for emergency requirements.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for the deployment and monitoring of emergency vehicles, including GPS-based tracking, and the availability of adequate fuel and other essential resources to ensure an effective response during snowfall and emergencies.
Reviewing the preparedness of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department, the DC took stock of ration distribution and the advance stocking of essential commodities in Gurez and Tulail before the onset of winter. The availability of LPG cylinders across the subdivisions was also reviewed, with directions to ensure adequate supplies and uninterrupted distribution.
The DC further reviewed the healthcare preparedness including the stocking of medicines and other essential medical supplies, availability of staff and arrangements for providing healthcare services during winter. The Chief Medical Officer, Bandipora, informed the meeting that pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy had been identified for their timely relocation to the district headquarters, as per the established schedule, to facilitate safe deliveries and ensure access to necessary medical care.
The preparedness of the Power Development Department was also reviewed. The Executive Engineer, KPDCL Bandipora, apprised the DC of the department’s winter action plan, including the routine operation of generator sets to support power availability. Arrangements of the Jal Shakti Department for uninterrupted water supply were also discussed.
The DC additionally reviewed winter preparedness measures of the Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry, Education and Social Welfare sectors, including Anganwadi services, and stressed the need for advance planning to minimise inconvenience to residents during the harsh winter months.
Emphasising the strategic importance of advance preparedness in Gurez and Tulail areas, the DC directed all departments to remain vigilant, strengthen interdepartmental coordination and ensure that men, machinery and essential supplies are positioned well in advance to meet any eventuality during the forthcoming winter.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ACD Bandipora, OC BRO Gurez, Chief Education Officer Bandipora, District Information Officer Bandipora and Executive Engineers of PHE Hydraulic Division Gurez, PMGSY Bandipora, R&B Division Gurez, PDD Division Bandipora, besides AD Handicrafts/Handloom Bandipora.
