LEH: Former legislator Deldan Namgail on Saturday sought Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur’s intervention in resuming the civilian passengers airlift from Thoise to Chandigarh by Ministry of Defence, a practice that was abandoned in 2020 after the outbreak of Coronavirus COVID-19.
In a letter written to the LG, the former Nobra Member of Legislative Assembly asked Mathur to discuss the matter at the earliest with the Defence Secretary so that poor people of Nobra valley will be benefitted.
The letter dated January 14 said that people from Nobra valley had given their blood & sweat to construct the Thoise Airport during the Indo-China and India-Pakistan wars due to which Nobra valley surrounding border were protected.
“Keeping in the view of unforgettable contribution of our ancestors, the Government of India had a commitment to airlift the local and civil passengers of Nobra valley in air-force plane to Chandigarh during the winter time .The commitment of the ministry of defence was maintained and Passengers from Nobra valley were airlifted by charging stipulated minimal charges which was routinely deposited at district treasury branch sub division Nobra head. But due to the COVID outbreak the civilian airlift was abandoned since 2020,” he said.
There are many poor people both Muslim & Buddhists who wish to travel to other part of India for Pilgrimage and health treatment during winter, but due to the unaffordable air-fare from Leh they can’t reach to such destination for respective purpose, it said.
“I, on behalf of the people of Nobra valley, request you to kindly make an personal intervention to restore the civilian passengers airlift from Thoise to Chandigarh by arranging an one-to-one talk with defence secretary at earliest so that poor people of Nobra valley will be benefitted,” Namgail wrote.
