A meeting to find possible solutions for the increasing traffic congestion issues in Leh town and the adjoining areas was convened by L-G Mathur on February 8 at Raj Niwas.

Advisor to L-G, Umang Narula; Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu; Divisional Commissioner/Secretary Transport, Saugat Biswas; ADG Satish Khandare; Deputy Commissioner, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; SSP Rajiv Pandey, RTO Tsering Paldan; Director Urban Development,  Zahida Bano and SP Traffic Rafi Giri attended the meeting. 

The traffic police department gave a detailed presentation on the prevailing traffic concerns on the basis of a detailed survey undertaken in Leh and the plausible solutions. While highlighting the safety of pedestrians, the presentation proposed strategies for pedestrian safety, car parking areas, and implementation of public transportation such as buses and e-rickshaws, etc for the de-congestion of Leh town. 

As per a report by RTO Leh, it was pointed out that a 26.17 % increase in vehicular registration was observed in Ladakh in 2020, while 26,000 vehicles were registered in Leh as of date. 

L-G Mathur lauded the efforts made to analyze and understand the issues and stated that a committee is formed under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner in consultation with all stakeholders for the implementation of the suggested solutions which must ultimately cater to the comfort of the local people as well as the tourists. 

Pointing out the need for a beautification drive within Leh town and nearby areas, LG Mathur suggested initiation of work on the said front by utilization of the existing infrastructure.

Further, he directed the concerned departments to put in place the solutions before the onset of the tourist season.