Leh, Feb 06: Reaffirming the administration’s resolve to strengthen water security and irrigation systems across the Union Territory, the Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday chaired a high-level and result-oriented review of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Departments, calling for strict adherence to timelines and sharper inter-departmental coordination.
The review meeting focused on both physical execution and financial performance of ongoing and proposed works, with the Chief Secretary seeking clear delivery plans for projects linked to drinking water supply, irrigation coverage and long-term resource sustainability.
Administrative Secretary, PHE, Rahul Sharma, presented a detailed assessment of departmental objectives and progress achieved under the State Development Programme. The presentation outlined completed works, projects under execution and priority interventions planned for the coming period.
The meeting examined departmental targets and implementation constraints in depth, with a strong emphasis on water conservation planning. Traditional and modern approaches were reviewed, including construction of percolation tanks, ponds and reservoirs, rejuvenation of local water bodies, and revival and upgradation of existing irrigation canals. The Chief Secretary stressed that all interventions must be designed in line with Ladakh’s fragile and high-altitude environment.
A detailed review was also held on the status of solar-based lift irrigation systems and completed irrigation projects. The long-term roadmap of the I&FC Department, including proposed and tentative schemes aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and improving regional water availability, was placed before the chair.
The meeting further took stock of irrigation census data, tunnel canal projects and the progress of completed and ongoing schemes under the National Water Mission. Activities related to water conservation and community participation under the Mission framework were discussed. Proposed projects under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana also came up for review.
Plans for the proposed 24×7 water supply projects in Leh and Kargil towns were examined, with directions issued to ensure realistic timelines, coordination among executing agencies and uninterrupted funding support.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of rural water supply schemes, water quality monitoring systems and operation and maintenance arrangements to ensure dependable and sustainable drinking water services in rural areas.
Kundra underlined the need for outcome-based planning, close coordination among departments and regular monitoring of project milestones, stating that efficient use of public resources must translate into durable improvements in water availability and irrigation coverage for the people of Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Engineer, PHE and I&FC; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil; Chief Planning Officers of Leh and Kargil through virtual mode; Superintending Engineers of PHE and I&FC Circles, Leh and Kargil; Executive Engineers from PHE divisions of Leh, Kargil and Zanskar and I&FC divisions of Leh and Kargil, including the Igoo Phey Division; Assistant Directors (Planning) of PHE, I&FC and the Rural Development Department; Assistant Executive Engineers of the concerned divisions and officials of the Jal Jeevan Mission Project Management Unit.
