Officials told to take action under snow manual

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 12

With a view to ensuring that normal life is not disrupted during heavy snowfall, the Shimla district administration yesterday chalked out a plan to effectively implement the provisions of “snow manual”.

“The capital city has been divided into five sectors and officials of the departments concerned have been deputed in each sector and control room with toll-free no 1077 in the DC office complex,” said Amit Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, who presided over the review meeting.

“The officials have been directed to maintain proper coordination and ensure that all important information concerning snowfall are disseminated and desired follow-up action is taken without any loss of time,” he said, adding that prompt action should be taken to ensure that services like water and electricity supply and road communication were not interrupted.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Public Works Department, HRTC, Food and Supply Department, police, fire brigade, Home Guards and hospitals to take prompt action as per the provisions of “snow manual”, to keep civic and other services running, besides providing timely information to tourists and extending proper facilities.

Special instructions have been issued to the PWD to take immediate action if any road was blocked due to snow in Shimla district and heavy machinery to remove snow be kept ready at all vulnerable locations. Ambulances be made available in adequate number and regular supply of essential commodities like milk, bread, petrol, diesel and LPG would be ensured.

Sanjauli, Dhalli, Naldehra, Kufri, Mashobra, Baldian and Chhota Shimla have been kept in Sector -1, the IGMC, Lakkar Bazaar, Victory Tunnel, Dhalli bypass, Kaithu, Annadale and Chaura Maidan fall in Sector-2 while National highway via the ISBT to Shoghi, BCS, Chakkar, Boileauganj, Totu, Nabha, Phagli, Khalini and Vikasnagar are in Sector -3.

Cart Road, Oakover, US Club, Holly Lodge, Jakhoo, Rich Mound, Ram Chandra Chowk KNH, High Court and DC office are in Sector-4 while Mehli, Panthaghati, Kusumpti, the State Secretariat and Brockhurst fall in Sector 5. Senior officers of all departments attended the meeting.