| Javid Dar reviews rain-related damage, NH-44 restoration | | |  Early Times Report
RAMBAN, Aug 6: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today reviewed the situation arising from recent heavy rainfall and landslides in Ramban and adjoining areas, with emphasis on damage to life and property, disruption of traffic and restoration of the National Highway.
The Minister, accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, also conducted a spot inspection of the Samroli-Udhampur stretch of NH-44 to take firsthand assessment of the restoration works and traffic arrangements following landslides and shooting stones triggered by incessant rainfall.
During the inspection, Javid Dar took stock of the ongoing clearance and restoration operations. He directed the concerned agencies to undertake the works on war footing to ensure early restoration of the affected stretches. He stressed that adequate men, machinery and other resources be deployed at vulnerable locations to minimize disruption to vehicular movement and ensure the safety of commuters.
During the review meeting at DC office Ramban, the Minister directed all the concerned agencies to maintain close coordination for effective management of the situation. He emphasized 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 prompt response to the emerging challenges.
The Minister accorded top priority to the movement of fruit-laden trucks, keeping in view the perishable nature of horticulture produce and the ongoing peak fruit marketing season. He directed that such vehicles should not face unnecessary stoppages or procedural delays and called for every possible measure to facilitate their smooth and hassle-free movement towards markets outside J&K.
Javid Dar directed the Traffic Police and enforcement agencies to regulate traffic in a manner that facilitates the movement of fruit consignments, particularly along vulnerable and congestion-prone stretches. He called for advance traffic planning and coordinated movement of vehicles, with priority passage to fruit-laden trucks wherever road and safety conditions permit.
He further directed the authorities to put in place a 24×7 monitoring mechanism along vulnerable stretches of NH-44 to ensure immediate response to fresh landslides, shooting stones, road blockages and other emergencies. He stressed the need for timely dissemination of traffic advisories and real-time information to transporters and fruit growers to enable them to plan movement of their produce efficiently. |
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