LEH: Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday inaugurated a 2.10-km-long irrigation canal from Mahey Tokpo to Raldho during his first-ever visit to the Changthang district of Nyoma, marking a major step towards strengthening rural infrastructure, water security and agricultural sustainability in the remote high-altitude region.
Constructed at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the irrigation canal is being described as a significant engineering achievement. The project was launched in 2022-23, but only 1,250 metres of the canal had been completed till March 2026, following which the work had stalled.
After assuming office as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on March 13, Vinai Kumar Saxena reviewed the status of the project during his first review meeting of ongoing works and directed officials to remove administrative hurdles and complete the canal in a time-bound manner.
Following the intervention, construction resumed at a rapid pace, and the remaining 850 metres of the canal — more than one-third of the total project length — was completed within two months. The canal measures 2.10 km in length with a width and depth of two feet each.
Before the execution of the project, farmers in the region reportedly faced difficulties due to inadequate and unreliable irrigation facilities, especially during peak cultivation periods. The Mahey canal, which receives water from the nearby Yaya Lake, is expected to provide a systematic and dependable irrigation system for agricultural cultivation in the Mahey area and cater to nearly 100 acres of command area in the high-altitude terrain.
A plantation drive involving the planting of 15,000 trees, organised by Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche, was also conducted in the presence of Vinai Kumar Saxena. The initiative aims to support soil conservation, slope stabilisation, improvement of green cover and long-term ecological sustainability in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Vinai Kumar Saxena said the Mahey irrigation canal and the plantation drive would significantly benefit the people of Changthang, where agriculture and allied activities largely depend on seasonal glacier melt and traditional irrigation systems.
“This project marks a major step towards enhancing irrigation infrastructure, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening the livelihoods of local farmers and pastoral communities in the remote Changthang region,” he said.
Vinai Kumar Saxena also praised the Irrigation and Flood Control Department for completing the project under challenging climatic and geographical conditions.
“Executing a project of such great importance in extremely challenging conditions is never easy. The officials have done a commendable job by completing the project with utmost dedication and commitment,” he said.
The Mahey canal has been constructed nearly 200 feet above the road along the mountains and includes PCC lining and breast wall works to ensure protection, stability and durability. Officials said the infrastructure has been designed keeping in view the difficult terrain and weather conditions of Changthang to ensure efficient and reliable water supply in the years ahead.
