₹10.48-cr facility to boost Ladakh Police training, open new sporting avenues for youth
Leh, Aug 14: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday inaugurated a modern Multi-Purpose Hall and Indoor Shooting Range—described as one of the highest shooting ranges in India—at the District Police Lines, Choglamsar, aimed at strengthening the fitness and professional capabilities of Ladakh Police while providing structured shooting training to local youth.
Built at a cost of approximately ₹10.48 crore, the all-weather facility has been designed keeping Ladakh’s prolonged cold and dry winters in mind, with provisions to maximise natural solar heat and improve energy efficiency.
The Multi-Purpose Hall will provide facilities for badminton, table tennis, wrestling and taekwondo, besides being used for in-service training, refresher courses and professional capacity-building of police personnel.
A key component is the Indoor Shooting Range, established in collaboration with the Ladakh Shooting Association. Equipped for air rifle, air pistol and mock air pistol/dry-fire practice, it will cater to police personnel as well as students and youth. Training will be conducted by qualified coaches in accordance with ISSF rules.
To encourage youngsters to take up shooting as a sport, a one-month free promotional training course will also be offered, with the aim of identifying promising talent and preparing aspiring shooters for national and international competitions.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said the project was part of the broader modernisation of Ladakh Police following the formation of the Union Territory.
He said around 350 infrastructure works, including police stations, staff quarters and barracks, have been undertaken with support from the Central Government and UT Administration. Of 84 works targeted this year, 64 are scheduled for completion in 2026, while the remaining 20 are targeted for 2027.
The modernisation drive also includes solar water heaters, solar power plants, bore-well water supply systems and polycarbonate greenhouses for personnel deployed in remote areas. Police mobility is being strengthened by replacing obsolete vehicles, while satellite-based POLNET 2.0 is being extended to police stations and posts to improve communication in remote areas.
Highlighting measures to tackle emerging security challenges, the LG said a dedicated Anti-Narcotic Task Force Police Station, established on February 20 this year, has registered 10 NDPS cases so far. Steps are also underway to establish a dedicated Cyber Police Station.
Saxena said strengthening manpower remains another priority. Following the recruitment of 796 constables, the process to recruit 40 Sub-Inspectors is underway. Physical tests of 7,029 applicants were completed on August 9, with the written examination scheduled for the first week of October. Recruitment for another 331 constable posts has also been initiated.
The Lieutenant Governor said the new Multi-Purpose Hall represented an investment in creating a modern, professional and well-trained police force, while the shooting range would give Ladakh’s youth access to professional coaching and structured sporting opportunities.
