Leh, Apr 1: The Union Territory administration has set in motion plans to develop a network of ponds across rural Ladakh to bolster water conservation infrastructure, with the initial phase centred on villages in Leh district. Emphasising the need to strengthen water infrastructure in rural areas, Administrative Secretary Rahul Sharma has directed officials to expedite the construction of ponds, underscoring the administration’s focus on enhancing water security in the region.
Chairing a review meeting at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Leh, Sharma said the initiative assumes urgency in view of the Union Territory’s fragile ecology and limited water resources. The meeting was convened in compliance with directions of the Lieutenant Governor to reinforce water storage capacity in rural areas.
Senior officers, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Mukul Beniwal, Assistant Commissioner A. G. Zargar, engineers from the Public Health Engineering (Irrigation), Roads and Buildings, and Mechanical departments, along with representatives of the Army, Project HIMANK and other agencies, attended the meeting.
Detailed deliberations were held on the proposed construction of ponds across multiple villages, with the Administrative Secretary highlighting that sustained inter-departmental coordination would be central to timely execution. He called for close collaboration between civil departments and field agencies, including the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, to address logistical and terrain-related challenges.
Reiterating the administration’s intent to build durable and functional water infrastructure, Sharma directed departments to undertake a comprehensive assessment of machinery, technical expertise, and other resources required for implementation. He stressed that the project must be pursued with administrative diligence and adherence to timelines.
The meeting also reviewed technical aspects such as the design parameters and dimensions of the proposed ponds. Officials were instructed to undertake site identification in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure optimal utilisation and long-term sustainability of the structures.
To strengthen oversight and ensure quality control, Sharma directed that Detailed Project Reports be prepared and submitted with complete documentation, including photographic evidence capturing the status of sites before and after construction.
The meeting concluded with a call for sustained coordination among all departments and agencies, as the administration moves to scale up water conservation efforts and improve resilience in rural Leh.
