Ladhak [India]: Konchok Stanjin, former executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has demanded the extension of the subsidised helicopter service to Nyoma and Durbuk in the Changthang region of eastern Ladakh. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has assured to find a solution to this demand.
In a post on social media platform ‘X’ on Wednesday, Stanzin urged the administration to provide similar facilities of air connectivity to residents of remote areas. He appealed to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra to extend the subsidised helicopter service to the strategically important Nyoma and Durbuk subdivisions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
“Request to Ladakh Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra to include Nyoma and Durbuk in the subsidised helicopter service to Changthang,” he said. We are also entitled to equal access to this feature. ”
In response to this post, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said, “Okay, we will find a solution to this. ”
The Ladakh administration had on September 30 restarted a subsidised helicopter service to improve connectivity between Leh and remote areas in the Union Territory. The aim is to improve connectivity, especially during severe winters. The service is being operated by Pawan Hans Limited under a lease agreement in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
At present, the helicopter service connects Leh to seven destinations — Kargil, Padum, Lingshed, Dibling, Nyerk, Diskit and Turtuk. This provides an alternative mode of transportation to local residents and tourists and also helps in meeting medical needs in case of emergencies.
Nyoma and Durbuk, located in the Changthang region of eastern Ladakh, are high altitude areas along the India-China border. Air connectivity becomes especially important in these regions as travel by road is difficult in winter. (Language)
[DD News]