* Road works stopped by Wildlife deptt, BRO delegation meets LG
Leh, July 10: The much-needed construction of a hangar at the strategically significant Thoise Airfield in Nubra Valley has encountered severe delays due to the non-availability of essential construction materials, prompting Major General Rawat TPS Rawat (Retd), AVSM, VSM of Virender Construction to raise urgent concerns in a high-level meeting with Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra.
In the meeting held earlier this week, Major General Rawat highlighted the critical role of the hangar’s construction for national security, emphasizing its significance in bolstering the operational capacity of Thoise Airfield. He urged the LG to intervene and authorize the use of a local crusher for construction purposes to expedite the project’s progress.
Major General Rawat stressed that the new hangar would enhance the airfield’s capabilities, which are essential for national defense and security operations. He pointed out that the delay in the project is impacting both military readiness and the potential for future civilian aviation activities at the airfield.
Lieutenant Governor Mishra acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries rationalization exercise, which is currently affecting the Thoise Airfield area. The LG expressed optimism that this exercise will eventually lead to the exclusion of the airfield area from the sanctuary’s jurisdiction, thereby enabling the continuation of essential developmental activities.
In response to inquiries about the future of the airfield, the LG sought an update from the Station Commander of Airforce Station Thoise, Group Captain Sanjay Kumar Yadav. Group Captain Yadav provided assurances that plans for the construction of a civilian terminal are progressing well. He confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is set to be signed soon, which will formalize land allocation and outline the subsequent construction of the terminal.
The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Advisor to LG, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Commissioner Secretary to LG, L Franklin, IAS; Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Brij Mohan Sharma, IFS; and Group Captain Sanjay Kumar Yadav. The discussions underscored the need for a balanced approach to address both security and developmental priorities in the region.
As the rationalization of the Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries continues, stakeholders hope for a resolution that balances environmental conservation with strategic and civilian development needs at Thoise Airfield. The successful resolution of the material shortages and the completion of the hangar construction are seen as vital steps towards enhancing the airfield’s operational capabilities.
The Thoise Airfield, located in the strategically important Nubra Valley, plays a crucial role in military operations and is poised for future civilian aviation activities. The ongoing developments, including the upcoming MoU for the civilian terminal, reflect a broader commitment to advancing infrastructure in Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has also sought intervention of the Ladakh Lt Governor Brigadier (Retd) B D Mishra to complete several border road projects after the work was suspended on the directions of the wildlife department in the Union territory, an official said on Wednesday.
Chief Engineer, Project Vijayak, Brigadier Vinay Bahl and Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Vishal Srivastava raised the issue of the suspended work with the Lt Governor after they called on him here on Tuesday, the official said.
Briefing Mishra about the construction of new roads along with the widening of existing roads in the border areas of Ladakh, the delegation informed him about the clearance taken by them from the wildlife board for the construction and widening of these roads.
Brig Bahl informed about the direction received from the wildlife department of Ladakh to stop the construction and widening of the road.
He apprised the Lt Governor of the issues faced by them in completing the said project within the stipulated timeframe and requested his intervention, the official said.
Brig Srivastava also informed Mishra of the issue faced by them in the construction of new roads in the Changthang area, the official said.
Taking note of the issues raised by the officers, the Lt Governor asked them to meet Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Brij Mohan Sharma, to find a viable solution to address their issues as these projects will not only benefit the people of Ladakh but also the country on the security front, the official said.
Meanwhile, a team from NITI Aayog led by programme director, security, Maj Gen (Retd) K Narayanan separately called on the Lt Governor and apprised him of the launch of the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ in Leh and Kargil districts.
Sampoornata Abhiyan aims to improve health, nutrition, education, and agriculture sectors, Narayanan said, adding “they are partners in the development of Ladakh and would provide expertise in different fields in which the Union territory needs hand-holding”.
