Clear snow, restore essential service on war footing, demands CPI(M)

Srinagar, Jan 24: Demanding restoration of essential service and clearance of snow on roads, the Communist Party of India (M) on Saturday said though snowfall is not something new to Kashmir but administration is still clueless about the situation.

Fresh snowfall has yet again disrupted power and water supplies in Kashmir valley, CPI (M) Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik said in a statement here.

Although snowfall is not something new to Kashmir given its climatic conditions and topography, the administration seems to be resisting change in its rusty work culture due to which common people have been suffering immensely and continuously, he alleged.

He said the fresh snowfall has resulted in power breakdown in several areas, especially remote villages of south Kashmir. Similarly, water supply has been affected for the last three weeks in various areas of Kashmir valley.

Some remote areas of Kashmir were still inaccessible even almost three weeks after the first major snowfall in early January and the fresh snowfall has mounted the problems of the people living there.

Due to the frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway, passengers, including children and women, remain stranded in Jammu. The airfares skyrocket due to the closure of the highway but the government is least bothered.

Snow clearance and restoration of essential services must be done on war footing basis. South Kashmir districts, which received the highest snowfall this year needs attention on priority. To meet the challenges, the administration needs to ensure better coordination between various departments especially those providing essential services.

Mr Malik said the government must ensure that there was no chaos for scarcity of essential commodities including LPG, kerosene oil and sugar and emergency services should be monitored and damaged power distribution lines immediately repaired.