Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Ghulam Mehdi; former MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; and Councillor for Panamik Constituency, Tsering Sandup, called on Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Government of India, in New Delhi on April 28.

The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting several pressing issues concerning the Nubra Valley region. They urged for an increase in the wages of porters and pony owners engaged by the Army in the Siachen sector, and requested preference for hiring local porters and pony drivers, along with a separate wage structure for pony drivers. They also appealed for a hike in the daily wages of labourers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under GREF and sought relaxation in the age limit for employment of local labourers up to 60 years, with priority given to locals in BRO (GREF) projects.

The delegation further emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure development to promote tourism in the Siachen belt up to the Base Camp and in the Turtuk region up to Thang village. They requested the expansion of Defence Civics Action Programmes to cover the border villages of Nubra.

Additionally, they stressed the importance of completing key road construction projects, including the widening of the Khalsar–Siachen Base Camp road, realignment of the Warila road, and construction of the Handang Brok–Zangpal road through the BRO.

The Raksha Rajya Mantri assured the delegation of timely action and necessary support to address the concerns raised.