Kargil, Jan 13: The Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, on Monday extended a warm welcome to the newly appointed Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, during his maiden visit to the Council Secretariat in Kargil.
The formal interaction took place in the Conference Hall with Executive Councillors, senior district officers and LAHDC members in attendance. The Chief Secretary was greeted with khataks, reflecting the region’s traditional hospitality.
During the meeting, the CEC placed before the Chief Secretary a broad charter of developmental and public welfare demands.
A central request was to empower the Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC Kargil to grant administrative approval and technical sanction for projects up to ₹5 crore, along with the release of ₹1.38 crore in pending liabilities under the Flood Control sector.
The Council raised the long-standing concern of snow clearance and reimbursement delays in works executed by PMGSY, R&B and Mechanical Engineering, calling for better coordination between departments during harsh winters.
The CEC urged revival and regular operation of civil air connectivity, including the AN-32 service, which remains the lifeline for Kargil residents in winter months.
Sports development also featured prominently, with the Council pitching for winter sports promotion under Khelo India, a Centre of Excellence under SAI, and mechanical chilling capability at the Ice Hockey Rink in Kurbathang to support the fast-growing popularity of ice hockey.
Urban infrastructure needs—such as multilevel car parking in Kargil town and round-the-clock water supply under AMRUT 2.0—were flagged as urgent priorities.
In the health sector, the CEC called for postings of super specialist doctors, including a cardiologist and specialists in neurology and urology. He also pressed for construction of a 200-bed hospital, a Nursing College, and even a Mini AIIMS to uplift healthcare and medical education in the district.
The Council reiterated the demand for keeping Zojila Pass open till February-end, recognising the road link as the only lifeline connecting Ladakh with the rest of the country during winter.
Energy development issues concerning KREDA were raised, seeking grant-in-aid and higher tariff rates—from ₹1.75 to ₹3— to ensure viability of renewable power projects.
The CEC further sought release of ₹4 crore—₹2.50 crore to be paid in the first phase—for construction of Ladakh Bhawan (Kargil Wing), with another ₹35 lakh required for sewerage and water supply works.
Another appeal concerned the promotion of Junior Assistants awaiting PSC-conducted examinations, despite completing their training at IMPA, with the Council requesting early clearance to avoid career stagnation.
Listening to the submissions, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra assured that issues raised by LAHDC Kargil will be acted upon in phases, guided by urgency and public need.
He said Ladakh’s tourism and natural landscape offer huge opportunities, and stressed the need for sustainable policies to tap its economic potential. Kundra called for close coordination between the UT Administration and LAHDC Kargil, noting that collective effort was vital for Ladakh’s growth.
