Leh, Sept 11: Secretary Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Atal Dullo chaired a meeting to review the progress of various border road projects being implemented by BRO, ITBP and CPWD in Ladakh.

Advisor UT Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Additional Director General, Western Command, ITBP, Administrative Secretaries, and other officers from ITBP, BRO, CPWD and concerned officials of the UT Administration attended the meeting held at DC conference hall.

Officers from ITBP, BRO and CPWD presented detailed reports on the progress achieved, challenges being faced and status of achievable timelines. Secretary, BM MHA stressed on the importance of the ongoing road projects and directed the respective implementing organisations/agencies to ensure the quality of the roads as well as adherence to given timelines. He expressed satisfaction about the fact that there are no matters pertaining to allotment of land and forest/wildlife clearances, as well as issues regarding labour.

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Advisor Dr. Kotwal on the occasion, highlighting the importance of connectivity, especially in the border villages of Ladakh, informed the Secretary that tele-connectivity works are in full swing and that all required approvals – use of State land, forest/wildlife clearances – have been granted for the installation of towers to achieve 4G saturation in the border villages of Ladakh.

Dr Kotwal further requested the Secretary for the establishment of banking services at some of the designated villages for the convenience of the people, as well as visiting tourists. Further, Dr. Kotwal put forth requests to the Secretary to stress upon two projects – Keyla tunnel (Zingral-kela tso – Tangtse road) and the Khardong la tunnel, respectively, stating that the completion of these two tunnels will prove game changers for commuting in Ladakh.

While reviewing the status of the Vibrant Village Program, the Secretary stressed on creating livelihood opportunities, promoting footfalls, ensuring the saturation of individual beneficiary oriented Centrally sponsored schemes and schedule activities, with the aim of achieving vibrancy in the border villages. The Secretary directed the UT Administration to prioritize the villages on the basis of their requirements and potentials that can be exploited to achieve maximum results.