Supply Chain Restored via Mughal Road, Simthan Top; Air-Drops Ensure Relief in Cut-Off Areas
SRINAGAR: In response to the recent floods that disrupted normal life across Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, convened a high-level meeting to review the availability and distribution of essential commodities including food grains, LPG, and petroleum products.
The meeting, attended by Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA Saurav Bhagat and senior departmental officers, was informed that adequate stocks of food grains and essentials are available in all districts. While August ration has already been distributed, September supplies have been issued in advance in vulnerable and flood-hit areas to ensure uninterrupted access. A buffer stock of food grains, LPG, and petroleum products has also been maintained to address future contingencies.
Officials further informed that the Smart PDS system, supported by telecom operators, remains fully functional, ensuring smooth and transparent distribution despite flood-related disruptions.
To restore connectivity, about 400 trucks carrying petroleum and essential supplies have reached Kashmir via the Mughal Road, while deliveries to Kishtwar and Doda are being ensured through the Simthan Top route. For areas cut off due to landslides and flooding, food supplies have been air-dropped, ensuring no household remains without essentials.
Reassuring the public, the Minister said, “The Government is committed to ensuring uninterrupted availability of food grains, LPG, and other essentials across J&K, even during natural calamities. There is no shortage of stocks. All possible measures, from using alternate road routes to air-dropping supplies, are being taken to reach every household.”
He directed officials to maintain close coordination with district administrations, adopt a proactive approach, and give special attention to remote and vulnerable areas to prevent hardship. Appreciating the dedication of officers, frontline workers, and oil company staff, Sharma urged them to continue working tirelessly until complete normalcy is restored.
