LEH: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena today inaugurated a newly created water reservoir at Spituk Pharka under Project Him Sarovar, marking 100 days in office and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to water security, environmental protection and sustainable development in the Union Territory.
The reservoir, the first of four planned water bodies at the site, has been completed within 60 days of the project’s launch and is expected to facilitate agricultural activities in the area by providing a reliable source of irrigation water. Three additional reservoirs at the location are nearing completion.
Launched on April 10, Project Him Sarovar was conceptualised soon after Shri Saxena assumed office on March 13, 2026, as part of a mission-mode effort to address Ladakh’s water scarcity challenges and strengthen long-term water security.
Constructed at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the reservoir measures 60 metres by 40 metres with a depth of two metres and has a storage capacity of nearly 60 lakh litres of water. The project is expected to benefit thousands of farmers in the Spituk area by enabling irrigation of agricultural land that has remained largely barren for decades.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor described Project Him Sarovar as a landmark initiative aimed at promoting efficient water management, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods. He said the reservoir’s completion ahead of schedule reflected the dedication of engineers, field staff and local communities.
Highlighting key achievements during his first 100 days in office, Shri Saxena said the administration has focused on strengthening water infrastructure, environmental conservation and economic development. He noted that under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan, the country’s first Himalayan Rock Check Dam has been constructed, while four more such structures are planned.
The Lieutenant Governor also referred to the revival of the 43-kilometre Igoo-Phey Canal and the 2.1-kilometre Mahey Canal, aimed at improving irrigation and agricultural productivity in high-altitude regions.
On environmental conservation, Shri Saxena informed that more than 35,000 saplings have been planted across Ladakh during the past 100 days as part of efforts to build a greener and more climate-resilient region.
He further highlighted initiatives undertaken to strengthen tourism and livelihoods, including simplification of licensing procedures for hotels and tour operators, integration of 23 government services from 13 departments on a digital platform under Ease of Doing Business reforms, promotion of Ladakhi apricot exports, development of Chumur under the Vibrant Village Programme and preparation of Ladakh’s first comprehensive master plan.
Calling his first 100 days “just the beginning”, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated his commitment to people-centric governance and pledged to continue working towards the long-term development and prosperity of Ladakh.
