Sinha reviews winter preparedness of deptts

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed officials to make the winter response system more resilient to harsh conditions and keep men and machines running well throughout the season.

Sinha was speaking while chairing a high-level meeting here to review the winter preparedness of various departments across the Union Territory.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to ensure that coordinated action plans are in place for uninterrupted power and water supply, availability of public utilities, ration, medicines and other necessities.

He said every department and key stakeholders should be far better prepared for the coming winter.

“To keep men and machines running well throughout the winter season, we need to make the response system more resilient to harsh conditions. Advance arrangements should be made for higher reaches and those areas where access is limited during the winters,” Sinha said.

Connectivity, hospitals, power and water supply and educational institutions should be the priority of the administration. Dedicated power supply must be ensured for the hospitals, he said.

While reviewing the plan prepared for three important stretches — Patnitop, Jakhani-Banihal and Banihal-Qazigund of NH-44, it was informed that the Panthyal tunnel and T5 will be ready by December 15 this year, an official statement said.