Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Nov 03: The divisional administration Kashmir Tuesday said that this winter its primary focus is on stocking essentials in bulk ahead of the closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highways, the only surface link that connects Kashmir with the rest of the country.
The Kashmir administration also stated that it will try best to go for less curtailment of power this winter given the additional availability of 150 MWs of electricity. In an exclusive chat with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole said that this winter primary focus is on stocking essentials in bulk ahead of the closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway.
“Last year, due to the closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway, our supply chain got disrupted. This winter, we are stocking the essentials much earlier than previous year. Our focus is to maintain a supply chain before snowfall or rainfall triggers highway closure,” Pole said.
He said that this winter due to the additional availability of 150 MWs, the administration in the Valley will try to go for less curtailment compared to previous years. “This year, we have already dumped the stock in far-flung areas that include Gurez, Keran, Tanghdar and Karnah. We have also dumped stock in the villages that remain cut off during winter months due to snowfall,” the Divisional Commissioner said.
About repairing of damaged transformers, he said that due to load shedding, electric transformers development snags but this season, “we have kept 700 transformers in our transformer bank to meet the demand of replace damaged ones with new ones.” “I have directed PDD officials to ensure replacement of damaged transformers with new ones within 24 to 36 hours,” he said.
Similarly, he said that all the road clearance departments/wings that include SMC and R&B, have been directed to remain on stand-by mode to meet any situation that may arise due to the early snowfall. “Food grains have already been stocked in far flung areas. Due to the farmers strike in Punjab, the supply couldn’t reach well on time. But we are receiving bulk food grains in the next 10 to 15,” the Divisional Commissioner said.
On LGP and Kerosene supply, Pole said that first priority for the administration was far-flung areas of Kashmir. “We will ensure that this winter, there is no shortage of LPG in the Valley,” he said.
He said that there is a frequent review on the supplies available, consumption and need to bring more supplies. “I am personally monitoring the supply chain. Focus is that it shouldn’t get disrupted till snowfall blocks the highway,” the Divisional Commissioner said—(KNO)
