LG Kavinder reviews progress of major Infrastructure projects in Ladakh.

LG Kavinder reviews progress of major Infrastructure projects in Ladakh.
Stresses upon all Administrative Secretaries, HoDs, field officers to adopt result-oriented approach in execution of developmental works
Calls for Dedicated, Efficient, Accountable Governance to ensure benefits reach last person in Ladakh
Asks DCs to finalise recruitment rules, notify advertisement at the earliest
Calls for efficient service for the welfare, development of Ladakh.
Leh, Feb 27: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects being implemented under various Central Government schemes, including the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the status of recruitment drives for non-gazetted posts through District Subordinate Services Recruitment Boards (DSSRBs) and the Ladakh Subordinate Services Staff Selection Board (LSSSSB), as well as gazetted posts being filled through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Secretary, PWD, Shri Michael D’Souza, briefed the Chair on the ongoing works under CRIF across Ladakh. He apprised that 14 new projects have been sanctioned by the Government of India at an estimated cost of around Rs 931 crores. Issues pertaining to land acquisition and their impact on timely project execution were also highlighted during the meeting.
Chief Engineer, PDD, Shri Tsewang Paljor, presented a detailed overview of the implementation of the RDSS scheme under six different packages at a total cost of Rs 1216.86 crores. The projects are targeted for completion by March 2028. He informed the meeting about challenges faced by the department, including power purchase liabilities amounting to Rs 396.81 crores payable by the UT of Ladakh to Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited. He also highlighted the requirement of adequate funds in the Financial Year 2026–27 for initiating the tendering process of the proposed 5 MW solar power project. The issue of manpower shortage for the operation and maintenance of existing and upcoming projects was also brought to the notice of the Chair.
Administrative Secretary, Planning and Finance, Dr L Franklin, briefed the Lieutenant Governor on nine completed and upcoming projects under PMDP, including the Srinagar-Leh 220 kV Transmission Line, provision of 50% subsidy support for setting up solar driers, Pashmina promotion programme, Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road, Zoji La Tunnel, among others. An outlay of Rs 21,441 crores has been earmarked for UT Ladakh under PMDP for these initiatives.
Director, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), Dr OP Chaurasia, also briefed the meeting about upcoming infrastructure development projects in Ladakh aimed at strengthening research and support systems in high-altitude conditions.
Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), Shri Michael D’Souza, informed that around 1385 non-gazetted posts were advertised in 2025 through both DSSRBs and LSSSSB, out of which more than 900 matriculation and 10+2 level posts have already been filled. He further informed that examinations for 473 graduation-level posts are scheduled to be conducted in March 2026. The meeting was also apprised of special recruitment drives planned for filling vacant teacher posts and other vacancies across various government departments in 2026. Progress regarding the filling up of gazetted posts in Ladakh through UPSC was also reviewed.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed his gratitude to the Government of India, headed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for allocating substantial budgetary support for infrastructure development projects under schemes such as CRIF, PMGSY, RDSS and PMDP. He stated that the enhanced funding will enable Ladakh to emerge as one of the most developed Union Territories in the country and ensure world-class facilities for its people, including those residing in remote and border areas.
The Lieutenant Governor impressed upon all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and field officers to adopt a result-oriented approach in the execution of developmental works. He emphasised that timely decision-making, inter-departmental coordination and strict monitoring at every level are essential to accelerate the pace of development in the Union Territory. He asked officials to remain accessible to the public, address grievances promptly and ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
Stressing that public service is a collective responsibility, he called upon all departments to function with dedication, efficiency and integrity so that the benefits of government schemes reach the last person in the remotest village of Ladakh.
Emphasising equitable development, the Lieutenant Governor directed that development works must be evenly distributed across all parts of Ladakh so that no area remains neglected. He stressed special focus on border areas and called for regular review meetings to ensure that projects are completed within stipulated timelines without delay.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the GAD Department and officials of the recruitment boards for conducting recruitment drives in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner. He reiterated that the UT Administration, with the support of the Government of India, is committed to filling vacant posts to ensure that local youth are gainfully employed and contribute towards the development of Ladakh and the larger vision of Viksit Bharat.
He further directed both Deputy Commissioners to finalise the recruitment rules for the post of school teachers and notify the advertisement at the earliest. He asked all departments to work with dedication and efficiency for the welfare and development of the people of Ladakh and ensure that no work remains pending.
Among those present in the meeting were Chief Secretary Shri Ashish Kundra, Commissioner/Secretary Dr L Franklin, Administrative Secretary Shri Michael D’Souza, Deputy Commissioner Leh Shri Romil Singh Donk, Director DIHAR Dr OP Chaurasia and senior government officials.