Roads, tunnel, other infrastructure development works near completion in Ladakh

Officials from MoRTH, Project Himank calls on LG Mishra
Leh: A delegation comprising Chief Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Rahul Gupta and Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Gaurav S Karki, called on the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at LG Secretariat.

Chief Engineer, MoRTH, Rahul apprised the LG of the road development works under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for Ladakh, including ten projects which are almost 90 per cent complete and could be completed at the earliest if hard-pressed.

He also complained about the progress of the sanctioned project works in Ladakh and requested intervention in expediting these project works. Rahul also sought the LG’s intervention in declaring the Key La Pass as a national highway so that necessary grants/funds can be processed for the construction of the Key La tunnel as the road is strategically important.

Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Karki apprised the LG about the public consultation meeting held with stakeholders regarding the alignment of the Phyang-Kharu bypass road. He also apprised the LG about the expansion of the Choglamsar Road from two-lane to four-lane and also requested for administrative approval (AA) for the Khalsar-Agham-Shayok Road.

He further requested to issue an order regarding the engagement of migrant or local labourers for various project works carried out by the Border Roads Organisation.

At the outset, the LG instructed to stop all blacktopping work in Ladakh due to its ineffectiveness under severe cold weather conditions. He also instructed Secretary, PWD, to discuss all ten pending works under CRIF so that the remaining 10% work could be completed at the earliest. He further instructed Deputy Commissioner, Leh to share the minutes of the meeting of consultation with stakeholders regarding the alignment of the Phyang-Kharu Road.

Instructing that Key-La Pass may be declared as a national highway at the earliest, the LG stated that he would take up the matter of funds for the Key La road/tunnel with the Home Ministry. He instructed Chief Engineer, Project Himank to put the work on the Khalsar-Agham-Shayok Road on fast-track mode.
The LG also instructed BRO to engage local persons from Durbuk to operate the Cafeteria constructed on the sidelines of the Tangste-Lukung Road in PPP mode.

The LG commended MoRTH for their infrastructure development works in Ladakh and asked them to continue the good work in the same manner.

Advisor to LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Secretary to LG, Ravinder Kumar, IAS; Secretary, PWD, Michael D’Souza and other concerned officials from MoRTH, PWD and BRO were present in the meeting.