RAMBAN: Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Mussarat Islam today monitored road clearance operation on NH- 44 to ensure that all stranded passengers are provided meals besides night shelter at designated places.
ADC, Ramban, Harbans Sharma; SDMs, CEO MC, Vishwajeet, ARTO, Shafqat Majid, Tehsildard and officers of civil and police administration are supervising snow and road clearance operation in their respective jurisdictions on NH-44 from Nashri to Banihal as well as other link roads and ensuring adequate arrangements for the stay of stranded passengers in shelter sheds along National Highway.
The DC informed that restoration works are in progress on war footing to restore essential facilities in the district for the convenience of the general public. He directed the Executive Engineer of PWD and PMGSY to restore all link roads for plying of vehicles.
The DC said that due to heavy rain and snowfall the landslides had blocked the 270-km long highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country at Mehar, Maroge, Sita Ramban Passi and Panthyal in Ramban district. He said that administration has launched a road clearance operation to clear the road besides providing night shelter, meals and heating arrangements to stranded passengers.
The DC directed executing agencies to depute adequate men and machinery to remove landslides instantly from National Highway to avoid traffic breakdown. He appealed commuters to contact traffic control rooms before starting their journey on the highway.
Meanwhile, the DC also inspected shelter sheds established by the administration at Ramban, Ramsoo and Banihal etc along the National Highway for stay of commuters in case of blockage of road from Nashri to Banihal.
The DC directed the SDMs of Banihal and Ramsoo to ensure heating arrangements, eatables, sanitation and toilet facilities in all RAHAT centres besides other necessary facilities for stranded passengers.