Sufficient stock of essential supplies available: Div Com Kashmir
Says no need to line up for fuel, situation normal
Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V K Bidhuri Monday urged public not to panic over the availability of essential supplies in the Valley, including petrol, diesel, LPG, and food grains.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Bidhuri said there is sufficient stock of food grains available, along with a buffer provision for over a year.
“For LPG, we have enough stock in advance, including seventeen days’ worth of supply, which is adequate,” he said.
Talking about the fuel situation, the Divisional Commissioner stated that Kashmir consumes around 1,000 kilolitres of diesel per day, and currently, 12,500 kilolitres were available, which is enough for 12 to 13 days even though the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is temporarily closed.
Regarding petrol, he informed that the daily consumption stands at 625 kilolitres, and the region currently has a stock of nearly 10,000 kiloliters.
“There is no need to line up at petrol pumps or panic. The situation is normal and under control,” Bidhuri said, urging the public to avoid hoarding or creating unnecessary fear.
He stated that significant efforts are underway to repair and restore the National Highway to facilitate the movement of vehicles. Bidhuri maintained that restoration work is expected to be completed within four or five days while one way Light Motor Vehicles are allowed to ply on Mughal Road.
Div Com made these remarks while chairing a meeting of officers to evaluate the availability of essential supplies in the region and to assess damage incurred by orchardists.
Addressing the meeting, he underscored that there is enough fuel stock to last for over 12 days and urged citizens to refrain from causing unnecessary panic or queuing at petrol stations.
He said that the LPG stock is sufficiently available for 17 days, while the 10, 000 Kilolitres of petrol will suffice the requirement for 16 days and similarly 12500 Kiloliters of diesel are available in Valley.
Meanwhile, to address profiteering by some traders, the Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners to constitute joint teams to conduct thorough market inspections, while Superintendents of Police were asked to deploy personnel at petrol stations to discourage queuing by people.
Regarding damage to apple orchards from severe weather conditions, Bidhuri directed Deputy Commissioners to constitute joint teams to assess the extent of the damage caused by heavy rains, strong winds, and hailstorms, and to submit their findings promptly.
Additionally, concerning the evacuation of stranded tourists, the Div Com instructed the SSP Traffic Rural and the DC of Shopian to prioritize the movement of tourist vehicles via the Mughal Road.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC; Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Directors of IMD, Health, Tourism, FCS&CA, VC LCMA, ULB, officers of various departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, School Education, Traffic, Transport, KPDCL, I&FC, PHE, PWD etc.
