A delegation comprising Chief Engineer, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Morth), Rahul Gupta, and Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Gaurav S Karki met Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Dr. BD Mishra (Retd), at LG Secretariat on 2 November.

Chief Engineer, MoRTH 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 percent 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 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.

Brigadier Karki,Chief Engineer, Project Himank informed the LG about the public consultation meeting held with stakeholders regarding the alignment of the Phyang-Kharu bypass road. He also apprised the L-G about the expansion of the Choglamsar Road from two-lane to four-lane and also requested 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 Organization.

LG instructed to stop all blacktopping work in Ladakh due to its ineffectiveness under severe cold weather conditions. He also instructed the 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, 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.

He 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.

Further, he commended Morth for their infrastructure development works in Ladakh and asked them to continue the good work in the same manner.