SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday fulfilled the demand of the people of Ladakh by bringing the region under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan for Jammu and Kashmir. He laid the foundation for two power projects under this plan along with five other projects in the State.

Dr. Singh, on a three-day visit, inaugurated the 44 MW Chutak Hydro-Electric Power Project at Kargil and the 45 MW Nimoo-Bazgoo project at Leh. The Kargil project will generate 44 MW in the normal season and 12 MW in winter. Dr. Singh said that steps were being taken to harness the natural resources of Ladakh. "Being more effective and cheap compared to diesel, [the] Chutak project will provide relief to the people to a greater extent," he said. "With vast potential for hydro-electric power generation, [the] launching of such micro-projects at far-off places would prove a milestone."

PM's promise

Dr. Singh could not visit Nimoo and laid the foundation stone at Leh where thousands had gathered. "We will spare no efforts inputting Ladakh on a par with the rest of [the] country as far as development and improvement in basic facilities are concerned." he said.

"Ladakh has remained backward for centuries and people here face [a] lot of difficulty as the region remains cut off for most of the year and faces power shortage. But we will work honestly to mitigate your sufferings."

These two projects will come up at a cost of Rs. 1,200 crores. Since the two projects had not found a place in the Plan, leaders from Ladakh had objected to the laying of the Srinagar-Leh transmission line. "It is a good development and we will overcome the power crisis to a greater extent," said Pintoo Narboo, MLA from Leh.

Dr. Singh said that the construction of a 12-kilometre-long tunnel at Zojila on the Srinagar-Leh highway was also being considered. Commending the work done by the Hill Development Councils in Leh and Kargil, the Prime Minister approved a grant of Rs. 10 crore each.

Union Power Minister P. M. Sayeed said he hoped that the Baglihar project would be completed soon. Work on the Uri, Salal and other projects were going on well. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that the launching of these projects would change the overall development profile of the region. "Boring of a tunnel to the Zojila pass will bypass all hurdles in boosting trade and economy," he said.

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