JIGMET DADUL
LEH: Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar on Wednesday demanded Rs 5.51 crore as compensation from the State Government for restoration of infrastructure damaged by the Phuktal River burst on 7th May 2015.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Spalbar asserted that the damage impact area is the most remote and destitute region in the whole of Ladakh region, where even some of the basic facilities of 21st century India is yet to reach. “The bridges washed away were the life-line of the inhabitants in this region. Now the inhabitants are virtually cut-off from the rest of the district”, he added.
The CEC requested for immediate release of a sum of Rs 5.8 crore for permanent restoration and Rs 43.9 lakh required for temporary restoration of works which require immediate attention.
Meanwhile, interacting with STATETIMES, the Councillor of Sku Marka Constituency, Tsering Punchok expressed concern over damage to motorable bridge on the Phuktal River adding that around 100 families from Shinggo, Doltoklung, Sara, Sku and Marka villages have been affected.
Expressing concern, Sarpanch Rumbak Sonam Nurboo said that many people of the region have not even used this newly completed bridge which was washed away in devastating flood.
Both Sarpanch and Councillor demanded immediate restoration of this bridge. They said that the local and state governments are indifferent towards this region as the villages Sumda Chenmo, Sumda Chun, Sumda Dho, Tsoksti, Marka, Hangkar, Sara, Shinggo, Umlung and Sku are lacking basic necessities including roads, electricity and telephones. They also demanded a trolly and raft to ferry the people across Gandala which otherwise takes 3 to 4 days.
