Leh: Lieutenant Governor Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has called for commercial drivers across the Union Territory to wear traditional Ladakhi attire while on duty, as part of efforts to promote the region’s cultural heritage and enrich the tourist experience.
Acting on the Lieutenant Governor’s directions, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Ladakh has issued a circular mandating traditional dress for all commercial drivers operating in Leh and Kargil districts.
The directive applies to a wide range of transport vehicles, including taxis, buses, tempo travellers, trucks, mini trucks, Tata 207 vehicles, and other commercial carriers.
The initiative stems from a meeting held on March 17 at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, where delegations from All Ladakh Tour Operators Association, All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association, and All Kargil Travel Trade Association interacted with the Lieutenant Governor on issues related to tourism and cultural promotion.
During the interaction, Saxena emphasised the importance of preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural identity and suggested that drivers associated with the tourism sector adopt traditional attire such as the goncha while on duty as a symbol of pride in local heritage.
Reiterating his vision, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to all commercial drivers to comply with the directive in both letter and spirit, stressing that the move is not merely regulatory but an opportunity to actively showcase Ladakh’s rich traditions.
He noted that such initiatives would strengthen cultural tourism, enhance the authenticity of visitor experiences, and reinforce Ladakh’s identity as a culturally vibrant and distinctive destination.