Leh, June 26: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) chaired a meeting at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat to discuss the detailed project report (DPR) for 24×7 Water Supply Scheme for Kargil town along with other projects of Housing and Urban Development Department, UT Ladakh.At the outset, the LG highlighted the importance of tackling the drinking water issue and ensuring that a comprehensive plan is prepared keeping the drinking water needs of future generations at least 30 years down the line.
He stated that surface water should be utilised to meet drinking water needs instead of depending on underground water. He also stated that the concerned government officials must take due note of these directions and work on implementing them in a mission mode.
Ashish from Shah Technical Consultants Pvt Ltd gave a detailed presentation on the 24×7 Water Supply Scheme for Kargil town for 13 wards along with adjoining areas for a projected population of around 30,000 by 2025 and projected households of 5011 by 2025 spread over around 28 square kilometres, including the present water supply status, proposed 24×7 water supply project, with two proposed intake at Drass and Suru River and around 7,500 house service connections; considerations for sub-zero temperature condition to ensure adequate drinking water even in the winter months; the estimated project cost of Rs 410.70 crores, etc.
Principal Secretary, HUD Department, Sanjiv Khirwar informed that Kargil town has been divided into six zones to implement the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) project and the issues related to the acquisition of land in three zones. He informed that all formalities in the three zones have already been completed and the tender has been floated.
Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Suse apprised the LG of the status of land’s acquisition in the remaining three zones and various options being considered, including land in lieu of land. He also informed that land in one of the zones belongs to the state.
The LG instructed DC Kargil to take possession of land in two zones within a period of 15 days for the construction of the STP. He also highlighted the need to look for a perennial source of drinking water in Leh other than Indus River and inquired about the construction of Khardung La Tunnel so that water from Shayok River could be diverted to meet the drinking water requirements of Leh town. The LG also inquired about the solid waste management plan in Kargil and asked the concerned officials to consider at least 10 years down the line while conceptualising an STP or solid waste management plan in Leh or Kargil towns.
Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Principal Secretary, Sanjiv Khirwar, IAS; Commissioner/Secretary to the LG L Franklin, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS; DC Kargil, kant Suse, IAS; Director, Urban Local Bodies, Tahir Hussain; Chief Engineer, PHE/I&FC, Maqbool Hussain; Chief Engineer, PWD, Mutalib and other officials from the concerned departments joined the meeting physically and virtually.
