KARGIL, October 18, 2026 – Taking decisive action to combat the severe water scarcity in the region, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, laid the foundation stones for two critical water bodies under Project ‘Him Sarovar’. The ceremony took place in the villages of Barchay and Apati within the Sodh Tehsil of Kargil district.
The two new reservoirs are designed to have a combined storage capacity of approximately 60 to 70 lakh liters. This significant infrastructure project aims to address the acute water crisis that has historically plagued the local communities, severely impacting agriculture and even forcing some residents to migrate away from their rural livelihoods.
During his earlier visit to the area on September 2, the Lieutenant Governor witnessed the hardships caused by the water shortage firsthand. He immediately directed the district administration to identify dependable water sources, specifically glacier streams, that could be channeled to supply the affected villages.
The ambitious Project ‘Him Sarovar’ involves channelizing these nearby glacier streams to meet the irrigation and household requirements of the local populace. LG Saxena has issued strict directives to the executing agencies, ensuring that the construction of both reservoirs is fully completed by the end of November.
Emphasizing that water security is the backbone of sustainable agriculture and rural development, the Lieutenant Governor instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, to implement all necessary measures for adequate irrigation. He stressed that effective water management is vital to protecting the livelihoods and long-term development of these remote communities.
During the event, Yourbaltak Councillor Manzoor Hussain submitted a memorandum to the LG highlighting other key public welfare issues, to which the administration promised priority attention. The foundation-laying ceremony was also attended by Member of Parliament (Ladakh) Mohd Hanifa Jan, Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh Ashish Kundra, and various other elected representatives and senior officials.
Published by True Roots Media Network