Directs swift resolution of land, compensation bottlenecks; says completed public assets must not remain unused
Leh, Aug 14: Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Thursday reviewed the progress of key NHIDCL infrastructure projects across the Union Territory and directed officials to ensure their timely completion, commissioning and productive utilisation.
Chairing a meeting of the UT-level committee for monitoring and review of NHIDCL projects, Kundra sought clear project-wise timelines and stressed coordinated action to remove bottlenecks relating to land acquisition, compensation, clearances and connectivity.
Major projects reviewed included the Kargil–Zanskar Road (NH-301), Zojila Tunnel, Kargil Truck Terminal, Leh slaughterhouse, additional office building, residential facilities and other public infrastructure projects.
NHIDCL officials briefed the committee on Urban Local Bodies projects, including the Shopping Complex, Kargil Truck Terminal, Office Complex at Dambuchan, Officers’ Hostel at Geyser Palace, 100-bedded Staff Hostel and Type-IV Quarters. The progress of 300-bedded Girls’ Hostels and Observation Homes at Leh and Kargil was also reviewed.
Taking stock of NH-301, the Chief Secretary reviewed package-wise physical progress along with land acquisition and compensation issues. Associated projects, including police stations, district police and SSP offices, a Multipurpose Hall, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Passport Centre and integrated development works along the highway, also came under review.
Kundra directed officials to process pending land records, NOCs and recommendation letters without delay and work closely with district administrations to settle land and compensation issues.
Reviewing the strategically important Zojila Tunnel Project, he sought an update on its targeted completion and directed close monitoring of the remaining works to keep the project on schedule.
On the Kargil Truck Terminal, Kundra sought details about land acquisition, approach-road width and connectivity. He directed officials to immediately inspect the site and assess the functional readiness of its approach road.
The Chief Secretary also sent a clear message against completed government infrastructure lying idle.
He directed PWD and concerned departments to take over completed buildings wherever required, ensure proper maintenance and prepare clear utilisation plans. “Vacant or completed public assets should not remain unused,” he stressed, calling for clear responsibility for their operation and maintenance.
While reviewing the 300-bedded Girls’ Hostel, Kundra directed that adequate heating and other essential facilities be ensured before making it operational, keeping Ladakh’s harsh winter conditions in view.
The meeting also discussed retrofitting and improvement requirements at the Officers’ Hostel and Type-IV Quarters at Geyser Palace.
Road-related matters, including compensation, demolition of structures, arbitration cases, the Sankoo road and delayed packages, were also reviewed. Kundra directed agencies to remove bottlenecks and take action on pending packages as per rules.
The Chief Secretary stressed that monitoring should go beyond measuring physical progress and focus equally on timely completion, commissioning and effective utilisation of infrastructure created with public resources.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Shurbir Singh, Secretary Planning Himanshu Gupta, Secretary PWD Baser-ul-Haq Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk, Chief Engineer PDD, NHIDCL officials and officers of concerned departments.
