KARGIL: On his maiden visit to Kargil, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta on Friday interacted with various public delegations at Bodh Kharbu, Mulbekh, Shargole and Pashkum.

The LG was accorded a warm welcome at Bodh Kharbu by the chairman/CEC of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhhoon, in the presence of executive councillors, LAHDC Kargil- Kacho Mohd Feroz and Zakir Hussain, deputy commissioner, Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, SSP Shree Raam R and other senior district officials.

Addressing the public, the LG expressed his happiness at getting the chance to visit the Kargil district for the first time and assured that he would take immediate actions to help those impacted by the recent cloudburst in the area.

He mentioned that a survey team has been constituted and compensation assessments would be conducted to provide timely support to the affected families.

Gupta emphasised the need for a cohesive approach involving participation of stakeholders such as the LAHDC, district administration and civil society for Ladakh's holistic development.

He underlined their collective effort to bolster the region's development, with a key focus on tourism promotion and creating livelihood opportunities for youth.

The LG said, "The public's demand for better infrastructure and facilities, such as the need for upgradation of roads, medical centres, educational facilities, lift-irrigation schemes and other issues, would be thoroughly examined and the UT Administration would explore all avenues to resolve the issues."

Earlier, villagers, monks, nuns and civil society representatives received him with traditional Khataks, followed by traditional folk songs and cultural performances.

During his interaction with the public at Shargole, Gupta pledged the conversion of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) into a Community Health Centre (CHC) and assured the opening of a public administration complex to reinforce local governance infrastructure.

At Bodh Kharbu's Photang, he committed to facilitating the construction of a guest house to support visitors and dignitaries.

The LG also sought blessings from the 8th-century-old Maitreya Buddha statue at Mulbekh.