Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, conducted an inspection of Leh Main Market and heritage areas of Leh Old Town to review civic infrastructure, sanitation and heritage conservation efforts.
During the visit, the LG inspected Leh Main Market, Leh Old Town, Chuteyrantak and the Central Asian Museum, interacting with residents and assessing public amenities in the region.
Focus on Cleanliness and Civic Infrastructure
Walking through the streets and by-lanes of the market and Old Town areas, Vinai Kumar Saxena directed officials to ensure proper maintenance of public spaces, improved sanitation and better urban management.
He asked authorities to prepare a comprehensive development plan within one month to address sanitation, infrastructure improvement and civic management issues in Leh town to create a clean, organised and tourist-friendly environment.
Plan to Beautify Leh Main Market
During his inspection of Leh Main Market, the LG emphasised maintaining uniform signage and design standards to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the market.
He directed officials to:
- Install decorative flower pots at key locations
- Repair broken stairs and pavements
- Use uniform tiles on pavements to maintain visual harmony
- Ensure regular cleaning of stains, dust and public areas
The LG also instructed authorities to ensure regular cleaning of drains, proper garbage disposal and installation of dustbins across the market area.
Safety Measures and Fire Infrastructure
Highlighting public safety, Vinai Kumar Saxena directed officials to ensure functional fire hydrants and adequate firefighting arrangements in the market area.
He also raised concerns over exposed electrical wires and dangling cables, which pose safety risks and affect the town’s appearance. Officials were instructed to lay cables underground through ducts along with sewage pipelines and cover exposed wires to prevent accidents.
Heritage Conservation in Leh Old Town
While inspecting Leh Old Town, the LG directed officials to improve the approach road to the Central Asian Museum and enhance the visual appeal of the surrounding area.
He also instructed authorities to widen and properly structure drainage channels passing through Old Town to prevent overflow onto streets.
Emphasising the cultural significance of the area, the LG said that traditional architectural styles should be preserved while constructing houses, especially in Leh Old Town, to maintain Ladakh’s unique cultural identity.
Urban Planning and Traffic Management
The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for long-term urban planning in Leh, including:
- A comprehensive sewage treatment plan for future population growth
- Improved street lighting and drainage systems
- Development of adequate parking facilities in the town
He also called for public awareness campaigns encouraging people to follow traffic rules and park vehicles in designated areas to prevent congestion.
Residents Raise Civic Issues
During interactions with locals in Leh Old Town, residents highlighted issues related to sewage disposal and narrow pathways in the area.
Vinai Kumar Saxena assured them that his visit aimed to identify and resolve such civic concerns, and necessary steps would be taken to address them.
Clean and Heritage-Rich Leh Key for Tourism
The LG noted that improving civic infrastructure, cleanliness and heritage conservation in Leh is essential not only for residents but also for boosting tourism in Ladakh.
He emphasised that as Leh is a major tourist destination, it must present a clean, organised and culturally vibrant environment reflecting Ladakh’s heritage and hospitality.
The inspection was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, DGP Mukesh Singh, administrative secretaries, Deputy Commissioner Leh, SSP Leh, and officials of the Municipal Committee Leh.
