Leh: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson chaired two key review meetings on Thursday—one focused on digital infrastructure in Ladakh, and the other on pressing human resource concerns in the Health Department.
In the first meeting, CEC Tashi Gyalson convened a high-level review of BSNL’s ongoing 4G Saturation Project and the BharatNet initiative aimed at strengthening digital connectivity in remote areas of the Union Territory. Officials from BSNL, including Senior General Manager Phuntsog Dorjey, AGM Tsering Angchuk, and 4G Nodal Officer Phuntsog Dorjey, briefed the CEC on the status of sanctioned tower sites, land allotment, and site-specific challenges.
Addressing the persistent delays due to terrain-related hurdles in laying underground cables, CEC Tashi Gyalson instructed officials to push for overhead optical fibre cabling using ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) technology. He emphasized that this method is more feasible given Ladakh’s rocky landscape and harsh weather.
He further directed BSNL officials to identify a suitable location for a pilot installation of the BharatNet Wi-Fi Access Point on the existing GP VSAT terminal. The performance of this test site will be evaluated before scaling up the initiative across the district.
In a separate meeting with Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Sanjeev Khirwar, and Chief Medical Officer Leh, Dr. Dolma Chuskit, CEC Gyalson discussed key issues related to staffing in the Health Department. The conversation highlighted the urgency of filling all sanctioned vacancies and moving forward with recruitment for newly notified posts.
A major point of concern raised was the long-pending regularisation of Adhoc, Contractual, and Consolidated employees serving under the Health Department. CEC Tashi Gyalson urged the Principal Secretary to expedite the matter, to which the latter assured that necessary steps would be taken.
Meanwhile, Tashi Gyalson held a meeting with representatives from Vision Himalaya and ADSL-JCBL to discuss Project Smile Himalaya – Hospital on Wheels, a new charitable healthcare initiative designed to reach remote and underserved communities across Ladakh.
The delegation comprised Khanpo Konchok Samstan, President of Vision Himalaya; Major Rinchen Kolto from ADSL (JCBL Company, Punjab); and Vishal Rattan, Deputy Manager–Sales, JCBL.
The initiative, being implemented by Vision Himalaya in collaboration with LAHDC Leh, seeks to provide free, accessible medical care through a fully equipped mobile hospital.
The project follows a previously signed MoU between LAHDC Leh and Vision Himalaya, highlighting their joint commitment to improve grassroots healthcare delivery.
ADSL-JCBL, as the technical partner, is supporting the mobile infrastructure needed for the initiative. During the meeting, the delegation discussed key logistical and operational requirements for the smooth rollout of the service.
The team also brought up the upcoming HPV vaccine campaign, scheduled to begin on July 27, and explored possible collaboration with LAHDC and the Health Department to strengthen preventive healthcare outreach in the region.
He appreciated the humanitarian value of the project and assured the delegation that the proposal would be reviewed through appropriate administrative channels. He added that an official response would be conveyed after careful evaluation of the implementation framework.
Earlier, Tashi Gyalson, was called on by a delegation from Ibex Colony led by Honorary Captain Sonam Morup.
The delegation also included Director of Rajya Sainik Board, Col. Lobzang Nima, Goba Sonam Rigzin, along with other community members.
The delegation extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble CEC for upgrading the Ibex Colony School from Primary to Middle School.
They appreciated the Council’s continued commitment towards strengthening the education sector.
Further, the delegation submitted a representation requesting the construction of a pathway to the Gonpa in Ibex Colony. They informed that the land demarcation for the proposed pathway has already been completed and urged for early execution of the pending work.
CEC assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up with the concerned departments for necessary follow-up and action.
