Leh, March 15 Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inspected the Leh main market and old town heritage areas on Sunday, directing officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to address sanitation and infrastructure issues and ensure a clean, organized, and tourist-friendly urban environment.
Accompanied by senior officers, including Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra and DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, Saxena, who took office on March 13, visited the main market and the old town heritage areas of Chuteyrantak and the Central Asian Museum to review civic infrastructure, cleanliness, and heritage conservation, an official spokesman said.
The LG walked through the streets and alleys around the main market and Old Town and issued instructions for the maintenance and upkeep of public places and other amenities, the spokesman added, noting that Saxena also interacted with several locals and heard their concerns.
He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan within one month to address sanitation, infrastructure improvement, and urban management issues in Leh town to ensure a clean, organized, and tourist-friendly urban environment.
During his visit to Leh Main Market, the LG emphasized the need to maintain a uniform design and signage system in the market area to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
Saxena stressed the need to promote traditional architectural styles while constructing houses, particularly in the Leh Old Town area, to preserve the region's unique cultural identity.
Highlighting the problem posed by dangling and exposed electrical wires, which create an unsightly appearance and pose safety risks, especially for children, Saxena directed that cables be laid underground through ducts along with sewage pipelines.
He also instructed that exposed live wires be properly covered to prevent accidents. He directed that encroachments along pavements and pathways be removed while undertaking tile-laying and pavement work.
Emphasizing the need for long-term urban planning, Saxena called for the preparation of a comprehensive plan for sewage treatment to address current issues and accommodate future population growth over the next decade.
He also stressed the need for proper street lighting and well-planned drainage systems to improve public convenience.
The LG also highlighted the need to develop adequate parking spaces in the town and called for public awareness initiatives to encourage people to follow traffic regulations and park their vehicles in designated areas to prevent congestion.