Leh, Jan 24: Placing the spotlight on the nation’s frontline defence, the Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra visited the Siachen Base Camp, where he interacted with Army personnel deployed in some of the harshest conditions in the world. Brigadier V. S. Salaria briefed the Chief Secretary on the operational aspects of the base camp and the challenges faced by troops at the world’s highest battlefield.
During the visit, CS Kundra paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the War Memorial and also visited OP Baba Mandir and the training area. He praised the courage, discipline and sacrifices of the armed forces, acknowledging their unwavering commitment while serving in extreme weather and difficult terrain.
The visit to Siachen marked the second day of the Chief Secretary’s tour of Nubra Sub-Division, during which he undertook an extensive review of administrative functioning, development works and public issues across the region.
Earlier in the day, Shri Kundra chaired a detailed review meeting at the SDM Office, Nubra, with the sub-divisional administration. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Leh, SDM Nubra, Tehsildar Disket, Former Deputy Chairman LAHDC Leh and other concerned officers.
The discussions focused on administrative matters, progress of ongoing development projects and measures to improve service delivery at the grassroots level. The SDM Nubra gave a detailed presentation on sub-divisional administration and development works under execution.
During the meeting, the Former Deputy Chairman LAHDC Leh raised several public concerns, including issues related to the power grid, non-registration of hotels in Nubra, the need to strengthen sub-divisional hospitals and the shortage of doctors.
Taking note of these issues, the Chief Secretary reviewed student enrolment at Degree College Nubra, discussed challenges faced by the horticulture sector and stressed the promotion of sea buckthorn cultivation to support self-employment and livelihood generation for local farmers.
The Chief Secretary also visited Diskit Monastery, where he was welcomed by the monastic community. The monks highlighted demands related to expansion of the parking area, improvement of the road leading to the monastery and other infrastructure-related needs. Shri Kundra assured them that the issues would be examined in coordination with the concerned departments.
At Sumoor village, he attended a public gathering where residents raised issues including the construction of a Community Hall for women’s groups (Ama Tsogspa), bridge connectivity between Sumoor–Burma and Lakjung–Diskit, registration of agricultural land, matters related to the Jal Jeevan Mission and other local development concerns. Assuring the public, the Chief Secretary said the administration remains committed to inclusive development and would make all efforts to address genuine demands in a time-bound manner.
Throughout the tour, CS Kundra was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk, SDM Nubra Mukul Beniwal and other sub-divisional and sectoral officers.
