Secretary tours border villages in Ladakh

Jammu, August 29

To assess the developmental activities in villages along LoC with Pakistan and LAC with China among other areas, Secretary, IT, Transport and Disaster Management for Ladakh, Amit Sharma visited these areas during his four-day tour.

Sharma visited Hunder village and its surrounding areas and conducted a thorough review of ongoing initiatives under the Rural Development Department. He also travelled to the far-flung border village – Thang, located at zero point of LoC. Here, he interacted with the village heads of Skampuk, Terchey, Skuru, Bodgang, Turtuk, and Tyakshi Pachathang. These interactions were focused on understanding the unique challenges faced by these border villages and exploring ways to enhance the effectiveness of ongoing projects.

“His visit underscored the UT administration’s commitment towards ensuring that even the most remote and isolated communities benefit from development initiatives, reinforcing the importance of inclusive growth in the region,” an official said.

Sharma later visited several strategically important areas, including the villages of Mann, Merak and Chushul in eastern Ladakh. During his visit, he made it a priority to engage directly with the local communities, taking the time to listen to their grievances, understanding the challenges they are facing and gather first-hand insights into the issues that need immediate attention.

In Mann village, the residents presented several pressing concerns. One of the primary issues they highlighted was the lack of reliable tele-network connectivity, which has been severely hindering their ability to communicate, access information, and utilise essential services. The villagers also expressed deep concerns over the inadequate water supply, which has been affecting their daily lives and agricultural activities along with request for upgradation of the local health sub-centre into a Primary Health Centre (PHC).

Responding to the various concerns raised by the villagers, Sharma assured them that he would take swift and decisive action to address their issues.

Understanding the importance of tourism to the local economy, Sharma pledged to install the requisite public information board at the Pangong Tso village entrance. He also proposed the introduction of local tourist guides who could provide valuable insights into the area’s history and culture, ensuring that visitors have a more enriching experience.

Sharma also addressed the challenges faced by the residents of Thakrung Valley and Chushul village - the last village at LAC with China. The local community has been making efforts to convert barren land into a lush, green valley, but they have encountered significant irrigation problems that threaten the success of their project. Recognising the importance of these efforts for both the environment and the local economy, Sharma assured the residents that their irrigation issues would be resolved.