CEC, Hill Council, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad along with Executive Councillors, Er Phunsog Tashi, and Muhammad Ali Chandan visited Zanskar Subdivision for three days.

Feroz Ahmed Khan interacted with public delegations in several villages in Rangdum and Stodh areas on September 15. Enroute Padum, he met the delegation at Shaqma Karpo, Rangdum, Rangdum Gonpa, Tashi Stongday, Akshow, Abran, Kushul, Hamiling, Skyagam, Remala, Manda, Phay, and adjoining villages.

People demanded the construction of community halls, footbridges, and provision of helicopter services during winter months, DG sets and mobile towers, reactivation of water supply connections, installation of submersible hand pumps, up-gradation of Medical Aid Centers to Primary Health Centers, and construction of protection bunds along Stodh River.

Among other demands projected by the locals included the construction of residential schools at Rangdum and Phay, improvement of the approach road of the helipad at Rangdum, early installation of V Sat at Abran, and foot suspension bridge between Dongri and Hamiling.

Feroz Khan assured the redressal of all issues and demand in a phased manner.

Executive Engineer PWD Zanskar was asked to prepare a Master Plan for the construction of protection bunds along the Stodh River for villages nestled along its banks. Also, he was asked to prepare DPRs for the construction of bridges, roads, water supply connections, and other related works under Capex Budget, SDP, and other schemes.

Regarding the provision of helicopter services to the people of Rangdum and other areas, the CEC said that with the coming up of UT in Ladakh the helicopter services have been augmented to a great extent with the UT Administration already having 1 helicopter of its own and the services during winters as and when required will be available as per requisition. 

He said that there is no dearth of funds to take developmental activities in hand and all-out efforts would be made to ensure equitable development of all areas in the district.

Referring to the developmental activities and progress achieved on several ongoing and approved works in Zanskar Sub Division, he informed that work on the up-gradation of Kargil Zanskar Road NH 301 from KM 87 to 196 has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹650.12 crores for which tendering process has already been completed and work will kick start soon.

He informed that Jio mobile towers will be made functional in Rangdum, Akshow, Abran, and Padum by the end of October this year. Also, a team from the Central Government will shortly visit the district for groundwork for the construction of a tunnel at Shinkula.

Zanskar area will be connected to National Power Grid by next year which will go a long way in augmentation of power supply in the area, he added.