J&K, Ladakh LGs call on Rajnath
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: Manoj Sinha and Radha Krishna Mathur, Lieutenant Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh respectively today separately 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.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha today also met Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues including the ceasefire agreement between Indo-Pak troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Union Territory.
There has been no major ceasefire violations on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir since the fresh agreement between India and Pakistan troops came into force in February this year giving much awaited sigh of relief to the people living close to the LoC as well as the International Border.
No infiltration has been reported from the LoC in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region since the fresh agreement.
“The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri @Manoj Sinha called on Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh in New Delhi today,” Singh’s office tweeted.
Sources said Sinha briefed Rajnath Singh on overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley where anti-militancy operations have taken a hit during past couple of months due to surge in COVID pandemic but with virus receding, the operations are likely to be intensified.
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