SRINAGAR: SMC Mayor Junaid Mattu on Wednesday said that the Corporation is ill equipped to clear the snow from the lanes of srinagar city, which exceed 15,000.
In a statement issued here he said that the corporation is using its garbage collection equipment to clear the lanes besides shovelling it using its men.
He said that the corporation had ordered snow clearing equipment, but had not been received, owing to change in emission norms and will ensure its devivery.
He said that within Srinagar, main roads and link roads – including highways – are to be cleared of snow by MED and R&B Departments. SMC is tasked with clearance of nearly 7,500 lanes and by-lanes. Unofficially the number of lanes is in excess of 15,000!
SMC is unable to do a perfect job of clearing 7,500+ lanes with spades and two dozen garbage lifting loaders/JCBs – that needs to be accepted and admitted and only when we admit the systemic deficiencies can we improve.
The tradition is to make-do with JCBs and loaders and spades and shovels – which aren’t meant for snow-clearance and are equipped for routine garbage collection operations.
SMC has less than 15 JCBs/loaders. Srinagar has at least 10,000 lanes that need snow clearance.
Effective snow-clearance in lanes and by-lanes will remain improbable till SMC is equipped with adequate, modern snow-clearing machines.
Around a year or more ago – the SMC F&P Committee had approved my proposal for the procurement of 25 4×4 snow-clearance machines with imported snow-blades and road salting dispensers.
Funds have been available since – so funds haven’t been a problem.
For some strange reason, the procurements weren’t made. On assuming office for my second term, I immediately sought a review of these crucial procurements but due to a shift from Bharat-5 to Bharat-6 emission grading, we couldn’t procure the machines this last month.
I will ensure these crucial vehicles are procured – speedily, transparently.
He added that with lack of machines and inadequate manpower – I express my gratitude to all SMC field staff for putting in their 100% since the past two days and night.

KR Desk