To take stock of the developmental activities and to address the grievances of the people, Dr. Sonam Dawa, CEC visited Sku Markha valley for two days tour on June 8. 

He took information about the developmental works presently going on in the valley through the concerned officers of various departments. 

BDO reviewed various works under MGNREGA, plantation programmes and construction of foot bridges. 

People of Sku and Kaya gathered at Kaya and demanded the early installation of the motorable bridge at Tsachu-thang connecting Sku-Markha valley which was washed away by the flooding water of Phuktal River in May 2015.

For reconstruction of motorable steel bridge for Sku-Markha valley, it was informed that the fund has been allotted and the tender has already been floated. The work is expected to start by the end of this month and hoped to be completed by next year. 

He was accompanied with EC Animal Husbandry, Mumtaz Hussain, Councilor Sku –Markha Sonam Norboo and a team of district officers and engineers.

The public demanded a medical sub-centre, BSNL tower, replacement of old wooden electric poles, new drinking water supply schemes, additional teachers for schools, permission and assistance for opening Tourist Homestay for left out households, DSPT for Shingo and Sara hamlets and construction of the road up to Hunker and Shingo.

Responding to the demand of additional teacher at Primary school Kaya, he assured to deploy additional teacher when the enrolment of students is increased. 

About permission for Homestay, CEC directed the Wildlife Warden to take necessary steps to cover the left out households of the valley under the scheme. About the construction of the road up to Markha, it was told to the CEC that necessary clearance from the Wildlife Department has already been given. 

Dr Sonam Dawa said that LAHDC is making efforts to include the construction of the road up to Hanker in a big scheme in order to ensure quality as well as early completion of the road. CEC directed the Ex-en Construction to conduct a survey for construction of link road for Shingo.

Regarding the opening of Medical Sub Centres, CEC said that the demand of Medical Centre is very genuine for this backwards area and the Hill Council will give top priority for this as and when the Govt, sanctions such medical centres for Leh district. Dr. Dawa also assured to give priority for BSNL towers for this valley.

Ex-en PHE apprised that a DPR of ₹1.15 crore mega projects for water supply schemes for the valley has already been submitted to the Govt for sanction and funding. Till this project is sanctioned, CEC directed the engineers to provide alternative water supply schemes in those villages which are in acute need of drinking water facilities.

Encouraging people for their efforts in keeping the valley pollution free, he said that it will further boost the tourist flow in the valley and added that other tourist destination of Leh district should take a lesson from the people of Sku-Markha.   

On the second day of his visit, villagers at Hankar demanded the construction of footpath from Kongmaroo-la to Chu-Skyurmo and other foot suspension bridges and roads; up-gradation of Government Primary School Hankar to Middle School; chain-link fencing to protect their fields from wildlife; and installation of hand pumps for drinking water. 

He gave directions to the wildlife officer for chain-link and PHE engineers for hand-pumps at the earliest.  He further assured the villagers of early redress of all the other demands in phase manner.