SRINAGAR, Sept 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review flood relief and restoration measures across Jammu and Kashmir, directing departments to expedite their assessments so that comprehensive projections could be submitted to the Government of India without delay.
The Chief Minister stressed that departments must avoid temporary fixes and instead focus on permanent restoration, particularly in water supply schemes. He also emphasized fast-tracking school safety certifications and directed Divisional Commissioners and IGP (NH) to issue verified updates to counter rumours about delays in fruit truck movement on the Srinagar–Jammu Highway.
Omar expressed concern over damage to the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu due to land subsidence and called for urgent protective measures. He instructed departments and district authorities to reconcile data quickly and finalize projections for submission to GoI, ensuring robust preparedness and safeguarding of lives and property.
Reports presented by Divisional Commissioners highlighted extensive damage: 16 houses fully damaged in Kashmir division, over 4,200 homes fully damaged in Jammu division, major road and bridge losses, livestock casualties, and agricultural impact across thousands of hectares. More than 150 lives were lost in Jammu division and one in Kashmir, with compensation already disbursed in several cases.
The meeting noted that over 2,700 km of roads and more than half of damaged bridges have been temporarily restored, with permanent restoration requiring significant funds. The power and water sectors also reported heavy damages, with nearly 49,000 transformers and 2,000 water supply works affected. The education sector audited over 8,800 schools, declaring 758 unsafe.
Omar reiterated that permanent restoration of infrastructure and livelihoods would be prioritized once GoI approves a comprehensive package. He also directed Deputy Commissioners to assess ex-gratia relief for families from J&K who lost members in recent Himachal Pradesh landslides.
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Advisors, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior officials of key departments, Divisional Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners, with some joining virtually.
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Labels: Governance, Flood Relief, Jammu and Kashmir
Tags: #OmarAbdullah #FloodRelief #Restoration #JammuKashmir #JammuNewsPortal
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