Zanskar, February 21, 2026: The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today visited the Zanskar Sub-Division of district Kargil and held detailed interactions with various public delegations and local representatives to review developmental concerns and ongoing initiatives.
During his visit, the Chief Secretary met a delegation from Zangla village. The representatives highlighted the need for improvement of the existing irrigation canal and sought his intervention regarding pasture land currently under the Indian Army. The Chief Secretary assured that the matter would be examined in coordination with the concerned authorities.
At Stongdey Monastery, the Chief Secretary interacted with monks and local representatives who requested renovation of the old irrigation canal, construction of a new irrigation canal, and development of a link road connecting the main road to Thama Mohallah, Stongda. He assured them that their genuine demands would be looked into on priority.
The Chief Secretary also visited Karsha Block, where various departments, including Handloom & Handicrafts, Agriculture, and members of Self-Help Groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), had set up stalls showcasing their products. He appreciated their efforts and emphasized the need for large-scale production, branding, and effective marketing strategies to enhance income generation and sustainability.
At Karsha Monastery, Councillor LAHDC, Stenzin Jigmat, warmly welcomed the Chief Secretary and expressed gratitude for his visit to Zanskar despite the harsh winter conditions. On behalf of the people of Zanskar, he voiced hope that the pressing developmental issues of the region would be addressed.
In his address, Councillor Stanzin Lakpa requested that Zanskar be declared a strategic head of Ladakh, citing its geographical connectivity to both Kargil and Leh districts and its potential road link with Pathankot, Punjab. He further sought early operationalization of Zanskar as a district and the declaration of a Hill Development Council for Zanskar.
Executive Councillor Phunchok Tashi also welcomed the Chief Secretary and raised the issue of inadequate power supply in Zanskar, as the region is not yet connected to the national power grid. He requested the provision of diesel generator (DG) power sets to ensure uninterrupted power supply until permanent connectivity is established. He expressed confidence that the administration would address the concerns of the region in a timely manner.
In his address, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra emphasized that development in Zanskar must be sustainable, particularly in the tourism sector, given the region’s fragile ecology and close connection with nature. He stressed that developmental initiatives should not disturb the natural environment and must involve consultation with local stakeholders and representatives. Highlighting education as the cornerstone of progress, he urged parents and the public to prioritize their children’s education for the long-term development of the region.
The Chief Secretary also visited the old Karsha Monastery, where public representatives requested renovation and structural repairs of the heritage building. He assured that the matter would be examined sympathetically.
During his visit to High School Karsha and the Anganwadi Centre, local authorities requested a school bus, staff quarters, and a multipurpose hall to strengthen educational infrastructure. Later, at Youlsum village in Karsha Block, the Chief Secretary held a Public Darbar where various delegations, including Lambardars, submitted memorandums highlighting local issues. He gave a patient hearing to all delegations and assured that all genuine concerns would be examined and resolved in accordance with rules and feasibility.
The visit underscored the UT Administration’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and participatory development in the remote region of Zanskar.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by the Executive Councillor Ponchuk Tashi; Deputy Commissioner of Kargil, Rakesh Kumar; SDM Zanskar, Omkar Rajendra Gundage; Chief Engineer, R&B; Chief Engineer, Power Development Department; Chief Engineer, Irrigation & PHE; Executive Engineers of R&B and PHE; Under Secretary Education; Chief Medical Officer; Tehsildar Zanskar along with other senior officials, public representatives, and heads of different religious and regional communities.
