Banihal-Gool to get dedicated snow clearance division: MLA Sajjad Shaheen

Banihal, Jan 28: MLA Sajjad Shaheen on Wednesday called for the creation of a dedicated Mechanical Division in Banihal to improve snow clearance operations, citing delays caused by inadequate machinery deployed by PWD and PMGSY.

Addressing a press conference in Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen said that contractors have been allotted multiple road stretches with just a single machine, which has severely hampered timely snow clearance and road restoration in snow hit areas of Banihal- Gool assembly segment. He termed the existing arrangement inefficient and detrimental to public convenience during harsh winter conditions.

The MLA said he take serious note of the issue and has held consultations with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and PWD higher ups regarding the establishment of a dedicated Mechanical Division in Banihal. He added that the preliminary paperwork for setting up the division is already underway to ensure better preparedness in future winters.

Sajjad Shaheen further announced that the contractor-based system for road restoration would be phased out. Instead, the government plans to procure snow cutter machines so that road clearance can be carried out directly by the department, ensuring swift response during snowfall and minimizing hardships faced by the public.

Providing an update on restoration work, the MLA said that nearly 80 percent of roads and electricity supply have already been restored. He assured that full restoration in remote and far-flung areas would be completed within the next 48 hours.

He also said that he is personally monitoring the restoration of basic amenities in Banihal and Gool areas. During the snowfall, he visited several affected locations to assess the situation on the ground and review the ongoing restoration works.