Srinagar, Jan 05 (KNS): The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Saturday successfully cleared snow off the roads on all important stretches running through the city and connecting important destinations, with special focus on the roads leading to hospitals, religious places and the government offices.
Commissioner Peerzada Hafizullah Shah along with Additional Commissioner Nazeer Ahmad Baba, Joint Commissioner Abdul Majeed Raina, Exn mechanical division Itrat Naseem, Chief Sanitation Officer Sofi Akbar, Chief Enforcement Officer Mudasir Banday toured several areas in the uptown and the old city and took on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing clearance drive.
The high-level team, headed by the Commissioner, toured uptown’s Hyderpora, Peerbagh, Sanatnagar, Barzulla, Rambagh, Jehangeer Chowk etc. In the old city, the drive was inspected and further directions passed in several localities, including Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Hawal, Soura and Hazratbal.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the swift removal of snow from the main stretches in a drive that started around 3 a.m. He said most of the city lanes have been cleared by the SMC staff and many machines are on the job to ensure no resident faces any inconvenience due to snow accumulation.
“In case there is any by-lane with snow accumulation, locals can get in touch with our helpline for redress,” said Commissioner Hafizullah.
He said the SMC had set priority areas after the heavy snowfall on Friday. He said the immediate priority was to ensure all roads leading to hospitals and religious places, including shrines and Gurdwaras, are cleared for movement of people and traffic.
The important Lal Chowk-Airport Road was also attended to early in the morning.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has utilized the services of 3000 sanitation workers for clearance of snow from lanes, by-lanes, pavements, Hospitals, Ration Ghats, Electric water supply stations, Religious places, Government Departments and other vital places on priority.
Besides snow clearance manually, SMC has also utilized 25 tippers, loaders, 4 JCB’s, 2 skid steers (Roberts) and 122 Auto Load Carriers /Hoopers for clearance of snow mechanically.
The Commissioner also took stock of dewatering stations and passed orders to address water logging issues in the city.
After the SMC staff called off their strike, accumulated garbage too have been removed from most stretches on the city.
Meanwhile, Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu toured the city and held an interaction with traders in Lal Chowk, Abu Guzar, polo view etc. to get their feedback. He passed immediate orders to address all the public issues arising out of the recent snowfall in the city.
He visited the shrine of Syed Shab shrine in Sonawar and had several interactions with the locals of Sonwar.
Furthermore Mayor visited many hospitals and important institutions to take stock of snow clearance. (KNS)