Srinagar: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole on Friday directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Divisional Heads of various line departments to address the developmental requirements of the Shai dominated areas on priority to facilitate people during the month of Muharram ul Haram.
The instructions were issued during a meeting convened by Pole to take a review of arrangements with respect to availability of drinking water, electricity, health facilities, sanitation and repairing of roads for forthcoming Muharram ul Haram.
He stressed on the officers to ensure that all the essential requirements are met in time.
The DCs were asked to conduct meetings with the stakeholders and associations of Shia community to get appraisal of demands and needs besides asking them to hold district level meetings to ensure all the necessary requirements are put in place.
Pole exhorted concerned to repair and upgrade the roads particularly where Muharram processions take place traditionally.
He further asked them to conduct spot visits to assess area wise needs. Besides, he directed SSPs to provide security to Muharram processions and Imambars.
The officers of the Health department were asked to keep first aid, medical teams and ambulances available in the areas and shall also accompany with processions to respond immediately with requisite treatment.
He also directed for organizing blood donation camps in coordination with associations and involvement of Red Cross and NCC Volunteers in Blood donation camps.
Traffic police were asked to chalk out an advance traffic management plan for movement of general transport on particular days of processions in different areas besides asking them to publicize the same well in advance in print and electronic media.
Moreover, HoDs of PHE and PDD were directed to ensure regular, uninterrupted supply of drinking water and electricity respectively so the general public does not face any inconvenience.
Also, SMC and Urban local bodies were asked to conduct sanitation drives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to clean the routes and localities besides procession routes and Imambars.
The Divisional Commissioner directed them to replace non-functional and damaged street lights in the areas so people do not face any difficulty during evening processions and prayers.
FCS&CA was asked for distribution of essential commodities and ration while CCF was asked to provide firewood to the people . It was informed that 18000 quintals firewood shall be provided at 83 locations in all the districts.
He directed FCS&CA, Police and other departments to carry out market checking and ensure all essentials and required items are available in the market besides there is no violation of the official rate list of essentials.
Pole also directed for the constitution of a joint control room of all the concerned departments involved to address demands and grievances.
