Kashmir to get additional snowploughs

Jammu and Kashmir government today announced that 14 additional snowploughs would be deployed to strengthen the existing fleet of snow clearing machines to provide boost to snow clearance operation in the Kashmir province.
"We will deploy 14 additional snow clearing machines to strengthen the existing fleet in Kashmir province," Minister for Public Works & Floriculture Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said here.
Bukhari held a meeting on the preparedness of the department on snow clearance in state.
During the meeting, Bukhari was informed that Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir has an existing fleet of 111 snow clearing machines.
These additional machines will be placed at the disposal of Chief Engineer Mechanical Engineering Department, Kashmir which will give boost to the snow clearance operation in the province, he added.

The Minister also passed on strict instructions that all the Government institutions should be directed not to use JCBs/Tractors for snow clearance.

In case of non compliance of these instructions, authorities shall impose penalty including seizure of the machines, besides recovery of the double of the cost of damages caused to the roads on this account, he added.
The Minister directed the Chief Engineer Mechanical Engineering Department to ensure all arrangements including readiness of snow cutter machines ahead of likely snowfall.
He also directed him to keep men and machinery ready so that snow is cleared immediately after the snowfall.