Srinagar, Nov 13 (KNS): With winter approaching, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo on Friday said the Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) will conduct a citywide mock drill tonight to assess the readiness of snow-clearance machinery and identify possible operational challenges ahead of snowfall.

Speaking to reporters, Labroo said the exercise would be carried out during night hours to avoid disruption to traffic, with snow-clearance machines being moved from MED workshops to different parts of Srinagar.

"Today itself, MED will conduct a mock drill across the city during night hours so that traffic movement is not disturbed. All machines will be taken out of the workshops and deployed on different routes to check whether they are fully ready for snow-clearance operations," Labroo said, as per Kashmir News Service (KNS).

He said the exercise would also help officials identify any mechanical issues, maintenance requirements or coordination gaps that could affect snow-clearance operations during actual snowfall.

"When the machines move along their designated routes, we will be able to assess whether any additional coordination or maintenance is required. All these aspects will be examined during the mock drill," he said.

Referring to last winter, the Deputy Commissioner said Srinagar had not received snowfall despite repeated assurances from the administration about its preparedness.

"Last time, there was no snow in Srinagar.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWe kept telling everyone that we were ready, but everyone else got a chance to enjoy the snow while we did not," Labroo remarked.

He said the administration was making advance preparations to ensure that snowfall, whenever it occurs, does not cause major disruption to normal life in the city.

The Deputy Commissioner said Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) had already activated its winter preparedness arrangements, including the establishment of control rooms and mobilisation of machinery and manpower.

"SMC has already established its control rooms and alerted its machinery and manpower. These arrangements have been put in place to ensure a prompt response whenever snowfall occurs," he said.

Labroo said the district administration would focus on maintaining road connectivity and ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare facilities and essential supplies during snowfall.

"Our aim is to ensure timely snow clearance and maintain access to medical facilities, healthcare services and essential commodities. All necessary arrangements will be in place," he said.

Expressing confidence in the administration's preparedness, Labroo said Srinagar was ready to deal with snowfall and the challenges associated with it.

"Even if it snows, and whenever it snows, we will carry out snow-clearance operations and ensure essential services. You just wait for the snow to fall," he added. (KNS)