SRINAGAR, MARCH 30(KMW): Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed today visited Lal Chowk area and met the traders whose shops were facing threat of inundation due to drainage failure following incessant rains in the area.
The dewatering has since been completed and the waterlogged roads have been restored in the business hub of the city.
Minister for Public Works, Syed Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb A Drabu and Minister of State for H&UDD Mohammad Ashraf Mir, besides Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, DC Srinagar and Chief Engineer I&FC, Kashmir were also present on the occasion.
Interacting with the trading community, Mufti Sayeed said he has made on-the-spot assessment and the Government will take all steps required to prevent water-logging following continuous rains. He said the Government will also start next month distribution of relief among and rehabilitation of the flood-affected people in a three-phased manner.
“Those small-time businessmen, traders and destitute who don’t have any insurance cover will be taken up in the first phase,†he said and added he has taken an assessment particularly in terms of preparedness to face the emerging situation.
The Chief Minister who had air dashed to Srinagar yesterday following the heavy rains personally supervised the Government’s efforts throughout the night and directed setting up of camps at safe places for people of affected areas in case of emergency and if need be.
During the review meeting held last evening, the Chief Minister had issued instructions to press into service all de-watering pumps in Srinagar city to clear the inundated areas. Lal Chowk was also inundated yesterday, but after the dewatering pumps have been used uninterruptedly, the roads in and around the business hub have been cleared of water logging.
