NEW DELHI: Radha Krishna Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Sunday called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues pertaining to their Union Territories.
Mathur expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister for approval of Shinkula tunnel project. The tunnel will be approximately 4.25 kilometers in length and will ensure all weather connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. This will serve as an alternate road link to Ladakh which presently remains cut off by road for four to five months of winter. However, construction of Zojila tunnel on Srinagar-Leh highway will also ensure all weather road connectivity to Ladakh. Construction of Zojila tunnel is expected to take time. Work on Shinkula tunnel, according to sources, is expected to start soon after Detailed Project Report (DPR) and completion of other formalities.
In addition to all weather road connectivity to Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh with construction of Zojila and Shinkula tunnels, a proposal is also on to link Leh by train from BIlaspur-Manali track. During his meeting with Rajnath Singh, Mathur sought raising of one more battalion for Ladakh Scouts Regiment to increase employment opportunities for the youth. “LG@RK Mathur request for one more battalion for Ladakh Scouts Regiment to increase employment opportunities. Assistance from the Army to make Ladakh Carbon Neutral was also requested,” a tweet from the Office of the Lt Governor Ladakh said.
Another tweet said the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh also thanked the Defence Minister for assistance rendered by the Indian Fir Force (IAF) for medical purposes, airlifting winter essentials and passengers especially during COVID-19. Mathur put forth requests to increase NC strength in the Naval and Air Force wings. Sources said situation prevailing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh was also reported to have figured during the meeting Mathur had with Rajnath Singh.
“Some issues of the people living close to the LAC in Ladakh were also reported to have figured in the meeting,” they added.
