LEH, Aug 22: Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Ashish Kundra, on Saturday undertook a comprehensive review of key development and Infrastructure projects in Leh, including the Ladakh Oma Dairy Plant, the newly established Tri-Fusion Gasifier Incinerator at the Solid Waste Resource Management Centre (SRMC), Choglamsar, and the Rural Development Department (RDD) Guest House, taking stock of their functioning, progress and potential to generate employment and strengthen local livelihoods.
During his visit to the Ladakh Oma Dairy Plant, the Chief Secretary inspected various processing units and reviewed the functioning of machinery for milk, apricot and sea buckthorn processing. He sought details on processing capacity, utilisation of local raw materials, quality standards, farmer linkages, payment mechanisms and benefits accruing to local producers.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need to strengthen linkages between farmers and processing units to ensure better market access and remunerative returns. He called for greater focus on improving milk quality through better cattle breeds, scientific feeding, fodder development, animal induction and breeding practices, along with stronger connectivity with villages and dairy societies.
He also emphasised documenting and showcasing successful experiences of farmers from remote areas through video-based stories to encourage greater participation in organised dairy activities. Reviewing dairy societies, Shri Kundra called for identification and strengthening of primary dairy societies and exploring support mechanisms, including refrigerated vehicles, for efficient milk collection and transportation. He also discussed expansion of dairy facilities in Nubra and sought details regarding women associated with dairy activities, organic certification, manure management and future expansion.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the Kargil dairy plant and discussed measures to strengthen farmer connectivity, milk collection and processing. He stressed the need to explore value addition in local products, particularly apricot and sea buckthorn, including juice and other processed products, and encouraged coordination with cooperatives, research institutions and concerned departments.
During the visit, the Chief Secretary was accompanied by Secretary, Cooperative Department, Ms. Bhanu Prabha; Secretary, Sheep Husbandry, Shri P. Rudra Goud; OSD to Chief Secretary (Special Projects), and other senior officers of the concerned departments.
Subsequently, Kundra inaugurated the 3 TPD Tri-Fusion Gasifier Incinerator Project at the Solid Waste Resource Management Centre (SRMC), Choglamsar, for scientific and environmentally responsible waste management.
During the inauguration, he was given a detailed demonstration of the technology and its operational process. Officials explained that the system uses controlled thermal treatment to reduce waste substantially to ash while facilitating controlled handling of gases and vapours generated during the process.
The Chief Secretary enquired about the treatment process, emissions management, operational safety, handling of residual ash and its potential utilisation. He also reviewed the proposed approach for managing legacy waste and sought details regarding the applicability of the technology at other locations across Ladakh. Officials informed that similar interventions are being explored for areas including Khaltsi and Nubra to strengthen decentralised and scientific waste management.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by former CEC, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson; Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Gopi Krishna; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Romil Singh Donk; Assistant Director, ULB Stanzin Rabgais; Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Leh, Atul Singh Mankotia and other senior officers.
Later, Kundra visited the RDD Guest House and reviewed the ongoing construction and finishing works. The project is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for handover by September 15.
He inspected the rooms, suites, kitchen, landscaping and other facilities and reviewed the proposed furnishing and finishing arrangements. He also sought details regarding the DPR, accommodation requirements, protocol arrangements and other facilities to ensure the guest house is well-equipped and functional.
He subsequently visited the nearby National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) building, where he reviewed its functioning, infrastructure and operational strength and interacted with officers regarding its ongoing activities and scope for further strengthening.
During the RDD Guest House and NRLM visit, the Chief Secretary was accompanied by Secretary, PWD, Baser-ul-Haq Chaudhary; Director, RDD; OSD, ACD, and other senior officers.
The field visits provided an opportunity to assess the ground-level functioning of key projects and identify areas requiring further intervention, with focus on local employment generation, value addition of Ladakh’s products, sustainable waste management and improved rural infrastructure.