Leh, September 30: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved four new water infrastructure projects in Kargil district to strengthen water security and ensure reliable water availability for drinking and agricultural needs.
The projects, estimated to cost ₹3.20 crore, will focus on water diversion, storage and better utilisation of available resources, including seasonal snowmelt.
The approved projects include the construction of a tunnel at Apati Nallah, an earthen channel to divert snowmelt water from Musbar Nallah to Sharcha Nallah, and the construction of new earthen ponds at Barchay and Apati under Project Him Sarovar.
In a separate decision, the Ladakh Administration has released ₹5 crore for developing water infrastructure at Hunderman village, the last Indian village along the India-Pakistan border.
The decision follows Saxena’s recent visit to Hunderman, where local residents raised concerns over inadequate water supply.
The Lieutenant Governor had earlier directed the PHE/I&FC Department to prepare Detailed Project Reports for the four Kargil schemes during a review meeting held at Lok Niwas on September 12.
The department subsequently prepared the DPRs, paving the way for approval of the projects.
The initiatives are aimed at addressing Ladakh’s water challenges arising from its difficult terrain, fragile ecology, limited water resources and dependence on seasonal water availability.
Saxena said ensuring water security remains a key priority for the UT Administration and stressed the need to conserve, store and efficiently utilise every available source of water.
He said the newly approved projects would help improve water availability for both drinking and agricultural purposes and strengthen water security in Kargil.
