Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC Kargil and Chairman, District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM), Rakesh Kumar, on May 9 chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the implementation and progress of water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Drass and the proposed 24×7 Water Supply Scheme for Kargil town.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Drass, ADDC Kargil, Superintending Engineer PHE & I&FC Kargil (virtually), Chief Planning Officer Kargil, Chief Medical Officer Kargil, Executive Engineer PHE Kargil, DTL PMU, IEC Coordinator, and officials from the PWD R&B and PMGSY departments.

At the outset, a detailed presentation was made on the physical and financial progress of JJM schemes in Drass, along with the current status of the proposed 24×7 Water Supply Scheme for Kargil town.

The meeting reviewed drinking water facilities in schools, Anganwadi centres, health institutions, and government offices, functioning of water supply schemes during winter, and the preparation and submission of the District Improvement Plan.

During the meeting, Chairman DWSM Rakesh Kumar directed the Deputy Commissioner Drass to prepare a comprehensive District Improvement Plan for water supply schemes requiring source stabilisation and tap connections for unconnected households, newly constructed houses, and government buildings in coordination with the Assistant Executive Engineer, Subdivision Headquarters. The report is to be submitted within six days.

He also directed that Har Ghar Jal villages should be formally handed over to the Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) through Gram Sabhas.
The Deputy Commissioner Drass was further instructed to review the status of water supply facilities in schools, Anganwadi centres, health institutions, and government buildings. He was also directed to visit disputed villages along with officials from the PWD R&B, PMGSY, and PHE departments to resolve implementation-related issues on the ground.

The Chief Medical Officer Kargil was instructed to submit a detailed status report on tap water connections installed in health institutions across Kargil, Drass, and Zanskar.

The ADDC Kargil was directed to visit Chuliskamboo/Chanigund village to address and resolve pending disputes. Weekly review meetings will also be conducted to monitor restoration works damaged during execution of road projects by the R&B and PMGSY departments.

The Assistant Executive Engineer was instructed to complete all pending works in Chuliskamboo/Chanigund village within the stipulated timeline and ensure uploading of the remaining Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

Officials of the PWD R&B department were directed to restore damaged water supply infrastructure in Muradbagh, Pandrass, Garkone, and Tesboo villages in coordination with the PHE department.

Emphasising the importance of inter-departmental coordination and community participation, the Chairman instructed the PWD R&B, PMGSY, Rural Development Department (RDD), and PHE departments to work in close coordination to ensure the smooth functioning and sustainability of water supply schemes across the district.

While reviewing the urban water supply scenario, the Chairman advised the concerned department to reframe the proposal for the 24×7 Water Supply Scheme for Kargil town by ensuring optimum utilisation of the existing infrastructure. He further directed that a viable and cost-effective proposal be prepared in consultation with the empanelled consultants of the Urban Local Bodies Department, UT Ladakh.