Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam today chaired a meeting to review status of restoration and repair works on National Highway at Dalvas near Nashri Tunnel which was damaged due to massive landslide resulting suspension of all vehicular traffic.
Regional Officer NHAI, J&K, Hem Raj briefed the ChiefSecretary about status of restoration and repair works going on to clear thedamaged stretch of 400 mtr.
He informed that men and machinery is on job to clear thestretch but because of prevailing weather, the work could not be expedited.
IGP Traffic apprised the meeting that around 1800 truckshave been stranded on both the sides of National Highway due to the roadblockade.
Chief Secretary directed the National Highway authorities toput in more men and machinery so that road clearance work is expedited and thestretch is opened for vehicular traffic at the earliest.
With regard to opening of Mughal Road for traffic andongoing snow clearance works, Commissioner Secretary, PWD(R&B) informed themeeting that the snow cutting machines and other machinery has been put on taskand soon the road will be cleared for movement of vehicular traffic.
Chief Secretary stressed on completion of snow clearanceoperations so that Mughal Road can be used as alternate road to supplyessentials to Kashmir valley keeping in view of regular blockade of NationalHighway due to landslides and other natural causes.
Principal Secretary, Planning & Civil Aviation was askedto coordinate with Indian Air Force for emergency air services for airliftingof essential commodities to Kashmir if National Highway remains block forextended period.
Chief Secretary took stock position of essential commoditiesin Kashmir Division and directed Secretary, FCS&CA to prioritize essentialsin case the need arise to supply the same through air service.
Besides, discussions were also held on using some otheravailable roads for movement of trucks carrying essential goods to the valley.Chief Secretary asked Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to send team of engineersto conduct survey of Gool-Sangaldan-Dharamkund road and to submit a report onwhether the road can be used and what kind of vehicles can be permitted to plyon this particular stretch to bypass damaged stretch of National Highway.Meanwhile,Chief Secretary also reviewed lockdown restrictions in Jammu Division anddirected Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, for ensuring implementation of theGovernment orders in letter and spirit to combat the coronavirus disease. Hediscussed prevailing situation in wake of lockdown orders and asked theDivisional Administration to closely monitor the situation and act accordingly.