Leh, 30 September (H.S.): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved four new water-infrastructure projects in Kargil district, aimed at strengthening water security and ensuring reliable availability of water to meet the drinking and agricultural requirements of the people.

On the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, the Administration has also released a fund of Rs 5 crore for developing the water infrastructure at Hunderman Village, the last Indian Village on the India – Pakistan Border, where the Lieutenant Governor had visited recently and received representations from the local villagers regarding inadequate water supply in the village.

The Lieutenant Governor has accorded approval for execution of the schemes for the following schemes, at an estimated cost of Rs 3.20 crore:

Construction of Tunnel at Apati Nallah

Construction of an earthen channel for diversion of snow-melting water from Musbar Nallah to Sharcha Nallah

Construction of a new earthen pond at Barchay in Kargil district, under Project Him Sarovar

Construction of a new earthen pond at Apati, Kargil district under Project Him Sarovar

The approval comes after the Lieutenant Governor’s visit to Kargil, followed by a review meeting of the PHE/I&FC Department held at Lok Niwas on September 12, 2026, during which the Lieutenant Governor had directed the Department to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the four schemes aimed at strengthening water security in Kargil. Pursuant to the directions, the Department prepared the DPRs for the four works.

The schemes are intended to strengthen the local water infrastructure by creating facilities for diversion, storage and better utilisation of available water resources, including snow-melt water.

These projects are part of the Lieutenant Governor’s sustained focus on strengthening water security in Ladakh, particularly in view of the region’s challenging geography, limited water resources and dependence on seasonal water availability. The Lieutenant Governor has been working on a war footing to ensure that people across Ladakh have reliable access to water for both drinking and agricultural purposes.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that ensuring water security remains a priority of the UT Administration. “Water security is one of the foremost priorities of the UT Administration. Given Ladakh’s challenging geography, fragile ecology and limited water resources, we must work with urgency to conserve, store and efficiently utilise every available source of water. The four projects approved for Kargil are an important step in this direction and will help strengthen water availability for both drinking and agricultural purposes,” said L-G Saxena.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar