Principal Secretary, Planning Development & Monitoring Department/Chairperson of the Changthang Package Committee, Dr. Pawan Kotwal reviewed the progress of works approved under SDP 2021-2022 of the Changthang Package on December 30.
 
Principal Secretary stressed that the UT Administration must take measures to prevent the migration of the local population from the Changthang region. He directed the concerned officials to get the population census figures of the villages in the sub-division of Nyoma and Durbuk from the year 1950 till 2011. This will help them draw a graph to better understand the actual figures and know if the area is getting populated or depopulated. He also directed the Department of Animal and Sheep Husbandry to conduct a cattle survey on the same lines.
 
During the meeting, road connectivity, power supply, telecommunication, and aviation were discussed for the development of Changthang. Speaking on the importance of road connectivity Principal Secretary said that once the road from Chushul to Pangong is constructed, it will turn out to be a game-changer in terms of accessibility. Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu informed the Principal Secretary that a new road from Kela to Tangste has also been proposed to be constructed.
 
Secretary, Information & Technology, apprised Principal Secretary about the telecommunication network in the region. Principal Secretary directed him to submit a report on telecommunication with the exact figures on the number of towers and the status of the OFC Network (BharatNet) installed in Changthang so far.
 
Secretary, Power Development Department/Animal, and Sheep Husbandry informed Principal Secretary that Sumdo and Nyoma now have electricity. Additionally, a 66 KV transmission line has been proposed and a tentative detailed project report prepared by the Power Development Department (PDD) has also been submitted to the MHA.
 
Reiterating the Lt. Governor’s instructions, the Principal Secretary asked Deputy Commissioner, Leh, to propose two residential Sainik schools in the Changthang Project. He said that the residential Sainik schools should be in Durbuk and Nyoma region. In this regard, it was decided that an already existing school in Durbuk be converted into a Sainik school. Also, he directed Commissioner Secretary to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) with expenditure on installing VSAT for schools in the Changthang region. Further, he directed the officials to speak to the councilors of the sub-division of Durbuk and Nyoma and ask them to give in writing if they have any demands.
 
In conclusion, he directed the officials to submit their reports on the Changthang project by December 31, 2021. With regards to futuristic planning like the construction of a tunnel in Changla and Khardungla, Principal Secretary directed that a brief mention of these futuristic plans be also made in the report and a good holistic plan be submitted to the concerned Ministry.