Kargil: On his first official visit to Kargil district, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, interacted with various public delegations, inspected ongoing developmental activities, and pledged strong action to drive inclusive growth and infrastructure development across the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor began his journey from Khaltse Sub-Division, where he held an interactive session with the Heads of Departments (HoDs) to assess departmental functioning and local governance concerns.
He was warmly received at Khaltse by Councillor Lobzang Sherab, DC Leh Romil Singh Donk (IAS), and SSP Leh Shruti Arora (IPS), and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the Ladakh Police.
During the interaction, HoDs apprised the LG of staffing shortages and developmental bottlenecks. Recognising the urgency, the LG directed Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mohd Sharief to submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations.
Councillor Sherab raised several important issues, including the delay in BSNL mobile tower installations, the need to expedite the Draft Sports Policy for Ladakh, revival of the declining agriculture sector, and measures to curb the growing menace of stray dogs. The LG assured timely intervention on all matters.
Later, the LG met with multiple delegations at Khaltse, including monks from Lamayuru Monastery, members of the LBA Sham Wing, Contractor Association, Youth and Women’s Associations, and village representatives.
They submitted detailed memoranda on a range of concerns—from CCTV installation and infrastructure upgrades at the Government Degree College Khaltse to land disputes in Aryan Valley and urgent irrigation needs. The LG gave a patient hearing and reiterated the UT Administration’s commitment to resolving the issues in a time-bound and efficient manner.
Proceeding towards Kargil, the Lieutenant Governor was warmly welcomed at Bodh Kharbu by Chairman/CEC of LAHDC Kargil Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, in the presence of Executive Councillors Kacho Mohd Feroz and Zakir Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, SSP Kargil Shree Raam R, and other senior officials.
Addressing public gatherings at Bodh Kharbu, Mulbekh, Shargole, and Pashkum, the LG expressed joy at his first visit to Kargil and assured early support to families affected by the recent cloudburst.
He informed that a survey team had been constituted to assess damages and facilitate compensation.
Underscoring the importance of collaboration between the LAHDC, district administration, and civil society, the LG stressed that Ladakh’s future development must be inclusive, sustainable, and youth-focused.
He noted that public demands such as better road connectivity, upgraded healthcare and education facilities, irrigation schemes, and infrastructure improvements would be closely examined and addressed by the UT administration.
At Shargole, the LG pledged to upgrade the local Primary Health Centre (PHC) to a Community Health Centre (CHC) and assured the establishment of a public administration complex to improve local governance.
At Bodh Kharbu’s Photang, he committed to supporting the construction of a guest house for visitors and dignitaries.
During his stop at Mulbekh, the LG paid homage at the ancient 8th-century Maitreya Buddha statue, where villagers sought his intervention for the conservation of the heritage site and development of the monastery premises.
The LG assured that necessary steps would be taken.
CEC Dr. Jaffer Akhoon, speaking on the occasion, expressed confidence that under Shri Kavinder Gupta’s leadership, Leh and Kargil would witness equitable progress.
He said the LG’s visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ladakh’s governance and development journey, guided by inclusive values and grassroots empowerment.
