Tenzin Sonam, EC, Zanskar Affairs appraised about the various problems being faced by the people of Kargil district, especially during the winter season to the Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home on January 22 in New Delhi.

Tenzin Sonam urged upon the Minister to resume the IAF chopper service for evacuation of serious patients which was discontinued last year. He said that due to the non-availability of this vital service many lives are being lost in the remote mountainous region of Kargil particularly Zanskar Sub Division which remains cut off even from its district headquarters for more than seven months of the year.

He requested Kiren Rijiju for immediate steps in this regard so that the people do not suffer anymore.

He also took up the issue of the extension of Kargil Airport  and various other issues pertaining to Zanskar Sub-division like sanctioning  of additional 200 tonnage for operation of MI-17 Helicopter from Leh to Padum and vice versa,  operation of IAF chopper service between Leh-Chumik and Leh Rangdum, border dispute between Himachal Pradesh and J&K at Chumik Gyalsa Sarchu, speedy construction of Nimoo -Padum- Darcha road and construction of airstrip at Padum to end up the total isolation of the area. 

He urged upon the Minister for immediate steps in this regard besides settlement of the border disputes and creation of permanent police check post at Zanskar Sumdo and Chumik Gyalsa.

Kiren Rijiju informed the EC that the Government at the Center is aware of the difficulties being faced by the people of the far-flung and remotest snowbound areas of the country and a number of concrete measures are being taken to mitigate their sufferings.

He said that the project for expansion of Kargil Airport is already under the active consideration of the Government and the work shall be executed soon after the acquisition of land. 

The Minister also informed that construction of an airstrip at Padum Zanskar is under consideration by the Government and survey for the same is underway.

 

Kiren Rijiju assured that all the genuine demands shall be looked in on the priority basis by the Union Government and necessary steps shall be taken in due course of time.