KARGIL, MAY 01, 2021: Secretary, Tourism and Culture UT Ladakh Mehboob Ali Khan during his 5 day visit to Kargil district took stock of wayside amenities for tourists on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway NH-1D from Hinaskot to Shargole here today.

The Secretary visited the heritage village of Hinaskot, Tourist Dak Bungalow, castle and a local museum in the Village and said that Hinaskot is an important historic village on the NH-01 and needs to be preserved and promoted on the tourism circuit. He directed the concerned officers to renovate Dak Bungalow Hinaskot on modern architectural benchmarks to provide better facilities to visitors and tourists.

Secretary Mehboob Ali Khan said that the LG Ladakh is keen to promote a local tourism circuit in Leh and Kargil districts, and added that there are many prerequisites to achieve this goal. He said that one of the major thing which needs to be done is to ensure the use of local Himalayan/local architecture in the buildings, adding he said that Tourism will only get boosted when people are able to promote their culture and heritage.

Underlining the need to ensure strict adherence to quality and quantity parameters in the construction of tourism related infrastructure, the Secretary Tourism said that quality of work cannot be compromised and any contracting agencies if found liable for under-quality work will be immediately blacklisted.

Secretary Tourism Ladakh during his visit to the public conveniences and cafeterias of Kargil Development Authority at Hinaskot, Bodh Kharboo, Khangral, Wakha and picnic spot of Ladakh Tourism Department at Shargole directed the officers that assets of Tourism Department needs to be maintained and properly used. He assured that consultants will be hired for future strategies regarding construction and other plans related to these sites.

Regarding the rational use of public conveniences for tourists and locals, the Secretary suggested that Panchayats can be involved for proper utilization and maintenance of these assets.

The Secretary also took stock of the pace of progress on the construction of Tourist Dak Bungalow at Wakha where he was informed that that project has been allotted at a construction package of Rs 54 lacs.

Interacting with the locals, Secretary Mehboob Ali Khan assured that tourism sites of Wakha Wadoo will be promoted and a plan is in the making to promote the rich heritage sites such as Fokar Urgyan Rzong.

Meanwhile, the Secretary on the occasion directed the officers to work with added zeal and dedication to accelerate the pace of ongoing works in view of the limited working season, adding he stressed that projects should be completed within the stipulated timelines.

Chief Executing Officer Kargil Development Authority (KDA) Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Director Tourism Aga Syed Toha, Executive Engineer KDA Sajjad Hussain Wazir, Sub Divisional Magistrate Shakar Chiktan Kacho Agar Ali khan, Assistant Tourism Officer Ghulam Rasool Lal besides other concerned officers accompanied the Secretary during the tour.