Srinagar: A delegation from Ladakh led by Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister, met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Abdullah who recently undertook a tour of the Ladakh region apprised Governor about various issues including poor road connectivity, adequate supply of drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, pending development projects, problems faced by a cross section of society due to poor internet and mobile connectivity, high airfares during winter months etc. He urged Governor for early completion of Z Morh Tunnel to provide all weather connectivity to Ladakh region, facilitating air operations from Nobraunder GoI’s UDAAN scheme using Thoise air field, permitting domestic tourists till Thang village from Turtuk side and up to Siachen Base from Panamik side and speeding up completion of various micro Hydel Projects sanctioned for the region.
The members of the delegation submitted Memoranda to the Governor, projecting various issues and demands relating to Leh, Khaltsi and Nobra regions, including Grant of 10 % Special Duty Allowance in favour of State Government employees serving in Leh, concern over high air fare in Leh Sector particularly during winter season when roads are closed, request on behalf of All Ladakh Transport Association Leh/Kargil to revisit the Government Order regarding installing of speed governor in vehicles till a reliable authorized dealer/workshop is established in Leh, request from the All Ladakhi Taxi Operators Cooperative Limited to issue All J&K State Permit to Taxi operators from Ladakh, lifting inner line permit from Leh to Nobra for labour as well as for tourists, early completion of the Turtuk to Da Hanu road and making functional all the Administrative units sanctioned in the year 2014.
Governor assured the delegation due consideration of all their demands and informed that he has already taken up with Nitin Gadkari, UnionMinister for Road Transport & Highways, all the issues relating to expediting completion of Z Morh Tunnel.
BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary and Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor were present on the occasion. Chief Secretaryinformed that languishing projects worth Rs 257 crore for projects in Kargil and Leh districts have been recently sanctioned through the J&K Infrastructural Development Finance Corporation.
The delegation among others comprised Ali Mohd. Sagar, Nasir Aslam Wani, Tsetan Namgyal, Cheering Wangchok, and P.Wangdan.
