'Fully prepared...", says SMC Commissioner as MeT forecasts heavy snowfall in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 04: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Dr Owais Ahmad stated on Saturday that the corporation is fully prepared to address weather and snowfall challenges, with comprehensive measures implemented to ensure smooth operations throughout the winter season.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, as reported by the news gathering agency KINS, the SMC Commissioner stated that the corporation is responsible for clearing approximately 1,500 km of roads, along with 5,500 lanes that are manually cleared.

The Commissioner highlighted that the SMC's priority system is structured into three categories: Priority 1 includes 500 km of crucial roads, connecting hospitals and essential public services, which are cleared immediately, even during snowfall. Following that, Priority 2 and Priority 3 cover other roads and residential areas.

He stressed the continuous nature of the snow clearance operation, explaining that as snow accumulates, the clearing process is repeated. Additionally, to prevent water inundation, the SMC has upgraded 100 drainage stations with power backup and deployed 127 drainage pumps.

The Commissioner assured the public that SMC’s snow clearance plan is in place, with resources ready to tackle any emergency or priority needs. Extra machinery has been hired, including modified JCBs, snow clearance machines, and small robotic snow blower machines designed for tight spaces.

He said that in a bid to speed up the manual snow clearance process, the SMC has also ordered hand-held snow blowers, which are currently being tested.

The Commissioner appealed for public cooperation, urging residents to report any issues via the control room or social media handle of the corporation.