90 towers of 3G restored in Jammu and Kashmir, road to be open in 5-7 days
New Delhi: Government tonight said 90 towers of 3G-telecom service have started functioning in Kashmir Valley while 10 VSAT systems are being air lifted to restore critical communication towers.
"3G towers numbering 90 have started working. 10 VSAT systems are being air lifted to restore critical telecom towers. Satellite link from Bardula has been provided," an official spokesperson said after a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth.
However, restoration of road communication to the Valley, ravaged by floods, will take five to seven days.
The Centre has directed free flow of transport via Manali and Leh to Srinagar, the only available surface network, a top central government official said here on Monday.
As an emergency coverage of logistics, petroleum products, food stock and medicines will move from Leh to Srinagar.
Similar quantities of food, petroleum products and medicines will also be moved from northern India via Manali-Rohtang Pass-Leh-Srinagar to replenish the stocks.
The Home Ministry is also airlifting thousands of bottles of drinking water and blankets to Jammu and Kashmir to be distributed among the flood-affected people as there is shortage of potable water and woollens.
"As nights are getting colder in the Valley, we are urgently arranging blankets and airlifting them to Srinagar.
There is crisis of drinking water too. So, we are sending thousands of bottled water beginning today for next four-five days," the official said.
Packets of biscuits and ready to eat food have been rushed in last night with further supplies carried to the Valley for distribution.
Railways is also transporting rake load of bottled water and sachet water to Jammu.
The three highways connecting Kashmir with Jammu have been badly hit and the Border Roads Organisation has assessed the damage and conveyed that it will take at least five to seven days for their restoration, the official said.
Facing problems of connecting even top state government officials, the Centre has dispatched 15 high frequency wireless sets to Srinagar today and is expecting that the wireless service will be restored by tonight.
