Javid Dar reviews rain damage, NH-44 restoration
Blazing Tales News Service
RAMBAN, AUGUST 6: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department Javid Ahmad Dar on Thursday reviewed the situation arising from recent heavy rainfall and landslides in Ramban and adjoining areas, with focus on damage to life and property, disruption of traffic and restoration of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
The Minister, accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, conducted a spot inspection of the Samroli–Udhampur stretch of NH-44 to assess the progress of restoration works and traffic arrangements following landslides and shooting stones triggered by incessant rainfall.
During the inspection, Javid Dar reviewed the ongoing clearance and restoration operations and directed the concerned agencies to undertake the works on a war footing to restore the affected stretches at the earliest. He stressed the need to deploy adequate manpower, machinery and other resources at vulnerable locations to minimise disruption to vehicular movement and ensure the safety of commuters.
Later, while chairing a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Ramban, the Minister directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination for effective management of the situation. He called for coordinated efforts by the district administration, Police, Traffic Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure a prompt response to emerging challenges.
Giving top priority to the movement of fruit-laden trucks, Javid Dar said every effort should be made to facilitate the smooth transportation of horticulture produce during the peak marketing season. He directed that such vehicles should not face unnecessary stoppages or procedural delays and asked the concerned agencies to ensure their hassle-free movement to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir.
