Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Labour & Employment Department, UT Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan reviewed the status of ongoing projects in tourism. 

Development Authority Zanskar and Tourism Department in Zanskar, both physical and financial, under State Sector and SDP during a meeting at, Padum on October 15.

The Commissioner/Secretary conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current progress. They also evaluated the performance of TDA and the Tourism Department from April to September 2023.

He stressed on the concerned officers to expedite the booking of expenditure commensurate with verified physical progress so far, so that the released funds are spent expeditiously. He further directed the concerned officials to submit the excess/surrender statement under State Sector and SDP by 18 October.

The concerned department were asked to work actively to ensure the completion of ongoing projects in a timely manner so that new projects can be conceived and planned effectively. 

Underlining the importance of giving impetus to cleanliness activities, he stressed that cleanliness drives at regular intervals should be organised in collaboration with the Rural Development Department and tourism stakeholders.

He directed the CEO, of TDA, Zanskar to prepare DPR for the establishment of video conferencing and audio system at the Conference Hall at Padum. He further instructed the concerned officials to prepare DPRs for improvement/upgradation of TRC, Zanskar premises and Tourist Dak Bungalow, Padum and also winter-friendly toilets at the new Taxi Stand, Padum.

The Commissioner/ Secretary also discussed various labour-related issues with the Officer Commanding, Yojak, BRO. He emphasised on provision of all necessary facilities to the labourers engaged in BRO works as per labour laws and emphasized the importance of close coordination between the Project Yojak and the local administration in ensuring proper facilities for labourers engaged in BRO works including suitable housing facilities, hygienic toilets at worksite/labour camps, regular health check-ups, compensation in case of accidents/causality and other requisite facilities as per labour laws.

 Later, the Commissioner/Secretary inspected the status of ongoing works of Labor Sarai at Padum and directed the concerned officers to complete the remaining works to make the Sarai functional by March next year. He also took stock of the progress achieved on the construction of the nature park, compound walling and cafeteria at Ufti and instructed the engineers of ZDA to complete the project by June next year.

He also visited the Karsha Fotang/Convention Centre work site, Zongkhul Gonpa, Shila waterfall, and Sani tourist facility and directed the concerned officers to expedite the work so that these works are completed and inaugurated by early 2024. 

Earlier, en route to Padum, the Commissioner/Secretary took stock of progress achieved on various tourism development infrastructural projects including tourist reception centres, wayside amenities, viewpoints, eco-parks, etc. and directed the concerned officers/ engineers to ensure completion of these projects within the stipulated timelines for the convenience of tourists/visitors ensuring workmanship, quality and quantity parameters as per the DPR/BOQ.