LEH: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday chaired a comprehensive review meeting with Administrative Secretaries to assess the progress of ongoing projects, schemes and departmental works across Ladakh, while calling for focused efforts to unlock the region’s development potential.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor urged officials to intensify their efforts and work with renewed commitment for the overall progress and prosperity of Ladakh. He said the Union Territory possesses immense potential across multiple sectors, which must be fully harnessed.
Describing Administrative Secretaries as the backbone of the administrative machinery, Saxena said their efficiency and commitment would play a crucial role in determining the pace of Ladakh’s development. He stressed that Ladakh has the potential to emerge as the best Union Territory in the country if officials deliver tangible results for the welfare of the people.
The Lieutenant Governor issued several directions aimed at improving civic infrastructure, environmental protection, tourism development and livelihood opportunities across the region.
Focusing on urban management in Leh town, Saxena directed authorities to ensure cleanliness and proper planning, calling for zero tolerance towards littering. He instructed officials to install uniform signages, undertake roadside plantation to reduce dust and pollution, and ensure proper road markings, especially near schools, hospitals and other sensitive areas. He also called for clearly marked parking and no-parking zones, regular cleaning of footpaths and installation of dustbins at designated locations.
Highlighting the need to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem, the Lieutenant Governor stressed adopting a zero-plastic policy and directed departments to plan additional Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) keeping future requirements in mind. He also suggested exploring Decentralised Sewage Treatment Plants (DSTPs) in difficult-to-access areas and emphasised that Leh and Kargil towns should be developed as zero-discharge towns.
Addressing water scarcity in the region, Saxena called for identifying at least 50 locations for developing water bodies to store snow and glacial melt, which could support irrigation and help farmers tackle water shortages.
He also emphasised strengthening skill development and training programmes to empower youth and transform them from job seekers into job providers.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to explore Ladakh’s wind energy potential and stressed developing sports infrastructure for activities such as archery, skiing and hot-air ballooning, preferably at locations outside Leh town with adequate amenities including parking, restaurants and public facilities.
Terming tourism a key driver of Ladakh’s economy, Saxena called for efforts to develop the region into the number one tourist destination in the country. He suggested setting up tent cities at scenic locations, procuring 20-seater luxury buses for tourists and introducing a fully online booking system for tourist transport services. He also asked the Tourism Department to prepare a comprehensive plan to promote winter tourism.
The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted the potential for large-scale cultivation of high-value flowers such as tulips, gladiolus and lilies to generate employment and boost exports. He stressed promoting authentic Ladakhi Pashmina as a defining identity of the region and ensuring fair market value for local producers.
Saxena also suggested exploring the economic potential of high-quality salt produced in the Tsokar area as another avenue for employment and local development.
Earlier, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra presented an overview of ongoing projects and schemes in Ladakh and briefed the Lieutenant Governor on key issues and challenges faced by the administration.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr L. Franklin and Administrative Secretaries Shashanka Ala, Bhupesh Chaudhary, Baseer-ul-Haq, Sanjit Rodrigues, P.T. Rudra Goud, Bhanu Prabha, Qureshi Tariq Mehmood and Moses Kunzang.
