Srinagar: Stating that the government is prepared to tackle the third wave of Covid19, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Pole, Thursday said that so far the administration has not taken any decision on reopening of educational institutions. “Whenever any decision is taken in this regard, it will be communicated through proper channels,” Pole said on the sidelines of a function here.
When asked as to why the administration had ordered businesses to remain shut on weekends notwithstanding a drastic decline in cases, he said: “Though there is decline in cases, the detection of new variants such as delta, etc. need extra caution.”
The Div Com said: “We have observed that people throng picnic spots and do not follow covid appropriate behaviour. In view of this scenario we have put strict restrictions on weekends.”
On the possible third wave, he said as of now they were not aware how it would behave. “But one thing is sure that we are better prepared for it. We have enhanced our resources. We have observed that the difference between the first and the second waves was that in the second wave more oxygen beds were required; it spread faster than the first wave and affected the population in rural areas also. Keeping these three things in mind, we have enhanced our resources.”
He said: “We have done proper resource planning and enhanced oxygen beds in Kashmir. At the start of the second wave we had 1100 oxygen beds available which were enhanced to 2500 by August 15. Besides, 32 additional oxygen plants have been commissioned, 17 by the mechanical department and 12 by the ERA. We will be able to tackle the third Covid wave even if it is thrice (in force to) the second wave.”
Responding to a query about the renovation of Boulevard road that caved in some months back, he said that tenders have been floated and the road will be repaired shortly.