Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Monday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and discussed measures to strengthen humanitarian assistance and improve air connectivity for the Union Territory during the harsh winter months.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor highlighted the unique challenges faced by Ladakh due to extreme weather and limited accessibility, especially when heavy snowfall cuts off road links with the rest of the country.
Gupta sought continued support from the Defence Ministry under Operation Sadbhavana — the Indian Army’s flagship initiative aimed at promoting goodwill, education, healthcare, and welfare in remote areas.
He emphasised the need to expand such efforts to ensure timely assistance to residents in far-flung regions.
The Lt Governor also underlined the importance of reliable air connectivity for the region, proposing the continuance of flights on the Kargil–Thoise–Chandigarh route and the strengthening of air maintenance services between Leh and Delhi to facilitate medical evacuations and essential logistics.
Expressing gratitude to the Defence Minister for the Army’s role in Ladakh’s socio-economic development, Gupta acknowledged the military’s crucial contribution in ensuring civilian welfare and emergency support in border areas.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated the Lt Governor’s concerns and assured full cooperation from the Ministry of Defence, in coordination with relevant agencies, to improve connectivity and extend humanitarian outreach in Ladakh.
