TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: In an extra ordinary step, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Avny Lavasa has decided to strictly enforce several steps in order to strengthen public transport system in Leh.
“All government officers/officials shall use the public transport to/from office on every Saturday to set an example as well as to encourage the general public to do the same.
In areas where public transport is difficult to access, officers/officials shall walk or cycle to/from office,” Avny Lavasa said in press release.
She asked officers to give feed-back and suggestions in the District Officers’ Group (WhatsApp) about the difficulties while using the public transport, cycling and walking.
DC Leh has directed HoDs of each department to ensure that employees of his/her department strictly comply with the steps taken to ensure use of public transport.
On the initiative of the district administration Leh, bus services around Leh city has resumed since last month. This initiative has received overwhelming response from all sections of the society since public transport has been a neglected sector for over a decade.
District administration has taken this step to revive public transport system with a view to remove traffic congestion and resolve the parking problem in the town area to make Leh more tourist-friendly as well as make it more convenient for the local people.
It is pertinent to mention here that in a similar move last year, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh under the leadership of the then CEC, late Dr Sonam Dawa, had declared every Saturday as ‘no official vehicle day’ and government officials were advised either to use bicycles or come on foot on Saturdays.
A cycle rally led by late Dr Sonam Dawa was started on April 1, 2017 from Leh bazaar to LAHDC Secretariat and in the following weeks on Saturdays Dr Dawa was seen cycling to LAHDC from his residence.
He would say that he has taken the decision to use cycles at least one day a week to minimize hazardous impact on the fragile ecology, reduce traffic congestion and also for physical fitness.