Minister for Cooperatives and Ladakh Affairs, Chering Dorjay today said that government is committed to strengthen the land and air connectivity to entire Ladakh region and various steps have already been taken in this regard.While addressing a large gathering, he said it is firm determination of the government to ensure a more accessible, reliable, responsive, transparent manner, in a comfortable environment through committed and streamlined processes. He said that air services to Kargil district will be started with the inclusion of the district under Prime Ministers Udaan scheme for air connectivity to small towns.Highlighting the steps taken by the Government for Ladakh region, Dorjay said development of the region is among the top priorities of the Government, funds to the tune of Rs 21,000 crore has been earmarked out of the 80,000 crore Prime Minister Development Programme (PMDP) Schemes for J&K, which includes, Rs 10,000 crore for construction of Zojila tunnel, Rs 4,200 crore for Kargil-Zanskar Highway, Rs 5,000 crore for the construction of twin tunnels on Leh Manali Road, Rs 230 Crore for tourism promotion in both Districts besides other developmental projects.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for the uniform and equitable development of the Ladakh Region, the Minister said Rs 5 crore each has been sanctioned over and above the District Plan Funds of Kargil and Leh. He added that apart from this, Rs 5 crore each has also been sanctioned to carry out blacktopping of the roads and Rs 10 crore each to clear the liabilities.Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Ladakh Autonomous Hill Developmental Council (LAHDC) Kargil Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Executive Councillors, Chief Engineer of NHPC and District officers were also present on the occasion.Earlier the Minister visited district hospital Kargil and took stock of the health care facilities being provided to the patients. He also visited various blocks of the hospital and interacted with the patients besides doctors and the para medical staff. He directed the concerned that every help should be provided to the patients visiting these hospitals.