Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, along with Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, and Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Zakir Hussain, called on Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah in New Delhi on March 18 and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting key developmental issues concerning Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

During the meeting, the delegation raised several matters related to public welfare and regional development. The prime demand was the creation of two new districts—Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan. The delegation noted that these subdivisions are among the oldest and most populous in Kargil and fulfil the required criteria, urging their inclusion in the forthcoming notification on newly announced districts in Ladakh.

The issue of air connectivity was also strongly highlighted. The delegation requested the operationalisation of civil flights from Kargil, extension of the existing runway, and expediting the establishment of a full-fledged civil airport to ensure connectivity, particularly during winter months when surface routes remain closed.

The memorandum further emphasised the need to restore Administrative Approval (AA) and Expenditure Sanction powers up to ₹5 crore to the Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC Kargil, to enable timely execution of developmental works.

In the healthcare sector, the delegation sought sanction for a 200-bedded hospital in Kargil, citing the increasing patient load and inadequate infrastructure at the existing 100-bedded district hospital.

The CEC also urged early execution and operationalisation of the sanctioned Engineering College in Kargil and called for the establishment of an Agricultural University to strengthen higher education and support the region’s agrarian economy.

To boost economic growth, the delegation requested a special financial package for the tourism, agriculture, and horticulture sectors, highlighting Kargil’s growing export of apricots and apples to national and international markets.

The memorandum also included demands for raising a dedicated IRBn battalion for Kargil district to strengthen law and order and generate employment, and for sanctioning a Women’s Degree College at Sankoo to improve access to higher education for girls.

Dr. Akhoon further raised the issue of five already approved hydroelectric projects and requested the Home Minister to direct the concerned ministries for their early execution and completion.

The CEC urged the Union Home Minister to take personal interest in these demands and ensure their early consideration and fulfilment in the larger interest of the people of Kargil.