Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, Jan 31: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Umang Narula convened a meeting to take stock of the issues related to storage of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Ladakh during winter months.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Civil Aviaton, Rigzin Sampheal, Divisional Commissioner, Saugat Biswas, Executive Director IOCL- northern region Sujoy Choudhary and Deputy Commissioner Leh Sachin Kumar Vaishay .Officers from Airforce, Army and Airport Authority of India also participated in the meeting.
Advisor stated that connectivity of Ladakh to the rest of India during winters is a prime concern of the UT Administration. He stated that owing to lack of sufficient storage tankage, the civilian aircrafts have to carry ATF for their return journey, due to which the cargo tonnage of the aircrafts gets limited.
He stressed on the need to increase the ATF storage capacity at Leh for the next winter.
The Executive Director IOCL informed that project for construction of ATF, Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel are under execution. He further requested for allotment of additional land of 8 Acres in and around the Leh Depot for establishment of the additional tankage facility. Advisor directed the District Magistrate Leh to look for the availability and feasibility of required land.
Keeping in the view the projected increase in tourism, the Advisor also stressed the need to make adequate storage provisions for future demand of ATF & other petroleum products in Ladakh.
During the meeting it was decided that IOCL will also explore the possibilities of expansion of its retail network in Ladakh by adding new petrol pump on the unsePrved Highways .Advisor also stressed on establishment of storage facilities at Zanskar, Nubra and Changthang.
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