Ladakh Times, Main Bazar, Ladakh (2026)

09/06/2026

Kargil, June 9: In a landmark achievement for India’s infrastructure sector, the strategic Zojila Tunnel project achieved its final breakthrough on Tuesday as the last section of mountain rock was successfully blasted, connecting both ends of the tunnel and marking the completion of the main tunnelling work.

The breakthrough marks a major milestone in the construction of the 13.15-kilometre-long Zojila Tunnel, which commenced in October 2020. Once completed and opened to traffic, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Kashmir, significantly reducing travel time and ensuring uninterrupted movement throughout the year.

Constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet above sea level, the Zojila Tunnel is set to become the world’s longest single-tube, bidirectional road tunnel at such a high altitude. The project is expected to transform transportation, tourism, trade, and economic development in the region while also enhancing strategic mobility for the armed forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

For decades, the people of Kargil and the wider Ladakh region have faced prolonged winter isolation due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather conditions that force the closure of the Zojila Pass for nearly six months annually. The tunnel is expected to end this seasonal disconnection, providing reliable year-round access to Kashmir and the rest of the country.

The breakthrough event was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, and Member of Parliament from Ladakh Mohmad Haneefa. The ceremony also witnessed the participation of BJP workers, project officials, and a large gathering of local residents who celebrated the historic occasion.

09/06/2026

Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari reached Meenamarg to for the historic breakthrough of Zojilla Tunnel.

08/06/2026

Drass, June 08, 2026: Chief Secretary, Ladakh, Ashish Kundra chaired a meeting with public representatives, heads of political and religious institutions, and other leaders of Drass district today at the Conference Hall of the Tourist Dak Bungalow, Drass.

Deputy Commissioner Drass, SDM Drass,Director Health; Superintending Engineers of R&B and PDD; Councillors ; District Officers, Departmental Heads, heads of various religious and political institutions; and other public representatives.

Councillor Bhimbat, Abdul Samad raised several issues, including the demand for a full-fledged district, creation of two additional sub-divisions, tehsils and blocks, formation of a Municipal Committee, establishment of a separate Hill Development Council for Drass, equitable distribution of assets in Srinagar, Jammu, and Delhi among districts, establishment of allied departments, and a recruitment board, among others.

Councillor Bhimbat, Abdul Wahid also highlighted issues of the area, including maintenance of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects, especially during winters, and sought funds for the launch of the Ladakh Premier League, with the expected visit of Sachin Tendulkar next month. He also requested the establishment of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Drass. He expressed gratitude for the inclusion of three villages of Drass under the Vibrant Village Programme and urged for the inclusion of four more villages. The delegation further demanded the opening of the Drass–Gurez road to connect the two regions sharing common language, culture, and ethnicity. They also called for opening Batukul for tourism, developing Tiger Hill base for trekking, and promoting Pariyun Ka Talab as a tourist attraction. Other issues discussed included granting ST status to residents of Matayen, filling vacant posts of lecturers, improving facilities at Higher Secondary Schools and the college, and ensuring engagement of locals in the Zojila Tunnel project. Read more at ladakhtimes.com

07/06/2026

Mera Yuva Bharat Ladakh Participants Celebrate Cultural Evening at ITBP Headquarters

Ladakh, 6th June 2026 .A vibrant cultural evening was organized at the ITBP Headquarters as part of the Viksit Bharat Vibrant Village programme organised by Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Ladakh programme, bringing together local youth and participating delegates in a spirit of unity, cultural exchange, and national integration.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from both local youth and MY Bharat participants. A variety of cultural performances, including traditional dances, folk songs, and cultural presentations, were showcased, highlighting the rich heritage and traditions of Ladakh and other regions represented by the participants.

The cultural evening provided a platform for young people to interact, share experiences, and celebrate India’s diverse cultural identity. The performances were appreciated by all present and reflected the talent, creativity, and enthusiasm of the youth.

The programme strengthened bonds among participants and local communities while promoting mutual understanding, respect, and cultural harmony. The event concluded with a message of unity, youth empowerment, and continued engagement in nation-building activities.

07/06/2026

Drass, June 07, 2026: Chief Secretary, Ladakh, Ashish Kundra visited Drass district today in connection with the upcoming breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel, scheduled to be held on June 09 at the Eastern Portal.

On his arrival at Drass Market, he was accorded a grand and traditional welcome by a large gathering of people. The public welcomed him with folk music, flowers, and traditional khatak, while chanting slogans in praise of the motherland India, the Central Government, and the UT Administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Councillor Abdul Wahid welcomed the Chief Secretary to Drass, marking his first visit after the region was granted separate district status. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the UT Administration of Ladakh for conferring district status to Drass.

In his address, the Chief Secretary thanked the people for the warm reception and congratulated them on achieving district status. He stated that the promise made to the people of Drass has been fulfilled, adding that on the very day of the district notification, key administrative appointments, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, were also made.

He also expressed happiness over the upcoming breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel, noting that it will significantly benefit the people of Drass by boosting tourism and improving livelihood opportunities. He invited suggestions from the public for further promoting tourism in the region and assured that appropriate measures would be taken.

The Chief Secretary reiterated that the Administration is committed to ensuring balanced and equitable development across all districts of Ladakh.

At Drenmo Lodge in Mushkoo Valley, two delegations led by Councillors Abdul Wahid and Abdul Samad met with the Chief Secretary and presented several demands concerning the area. The Chief Secretary listened patiently and assured them that their concerns would be addressed in due course.

Present on the occasion were, Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imteeaz Kacho; SP Drass, Ishtiyaq Kacho; SDM Drass, Vishal Atri; Councillors Abdul Samad and Abdul Wahid, and other departmental heads.

07/06/2026

Kargil, June 6, 2026: Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar (IAS), chaired a joint meeting of the District Highway Safety Task Force, PM Rahat Scheme and Good Samaritan Scheme at the DC Office Kargil on Saturday to review highway safety measures, accident response mechanisms and public welfare initiatives.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Kargil, Chief Medical Officer Kargil, Executive Engineer R&B, ARTO Kargil, DySP Headquarters Kargil, DySP Traffic Headquarters Kargil, representatives of BRO and NHIDCL, besides the Presidents of the Taxi Union and Bus Union.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on ensuring safe and smooth movement of traffic on National Highways in view of the suo motu cognizance taken by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the Phalodi road accident case.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination for the removal of illegal encroachments and unauthorized halting of heavy vehicles and buses along highways. Departments were instructed to identify suitable locations for vehicle parking and halting facilities equipped with basic amenities.As part of the review process, the Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by the ARTO Kargil, DySP Traffic and SHO Kargil, conducted a night inspection from Baroo to Kharul and the Main Bazaar area between 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM. The inspection highlighted several areas requiring immediate intervention, including the installation of crash barriers at vulnerable locations and the need for round-the-clock police deployment at various traffic points to improve traffic management and road safety. Read more at ladakhtimes.com

07/06/2026

LG Ladakh Launched the Integrated Job Portal Ladakh (jobportal.ladakh.gov.in), a dedicated single-window digital platform connecting our youth with employment opportunities across sectors.

This portal will bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, simplify recruitment, promote transparency and ensure equal access to opportunities for youth in both remote villages and urban centres.

More than a website, it is a complete employment ecosystem that will empower local talent, support businesses and help build a stronger, self-reliant and prosperous Ladakh.

07/06/2026

KARGIL 06 June : The Department of Youth Services and Sports, Kargil, concluded a Zone-level sports tournament for Under-17 and Under-19 categories at the Sankoo Mini Stadium.
Students from Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School (GGHSS) GM Pore delivered an outstanding performance, securing top honors across multiple events in the Under-19 category.
In the Table Tennis Doubles (U-19) final, the duo of Khairun Nissa and Fatima Kousar from GGHSS GM Pore clinched the first position after a thrilling match, defeating Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Sankoo.
The school continued its winning streak on the track in the Under-19 3000-meter athletic race. GGHSS GM Pore swept the top two spots, with Zarina Banoo securing the first position and Fatima Nissa finishing closely behind to take the second position.
The school administration and sports officials have congratulated the young athletes on their remarkable dedication and sportsmanship, wishing them continued success in the upcoming district-level competitions.

07/06/2026

BJYM District President Kargil Meets Administrative Secretary, PWD UT Ladakh; Raises Public Infrastructure Issues
Kargil, June 06 2026: Mohd Hassanain Rocky, District President, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Kargil, met with Bashir-ul-Haq Choudhary, Administrative Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), UT Ladakh, and submitted a representation regarding several important public infrastructure issues affecting residents of Kargil district.
During the meeting, Rocky apprised the Administrative Secretary of the need for the upgradation and improvement of the Chapring–Olchags–Daltum Thang Choskore link road, highlighting its importance for enhancing connectivity and facilitating public movement in the area.
He further requested the early construction and completion of the Poyen Road, noting that the project is a long-standing public demand and is vital for improving transportation infrastructure and accessibility for local residents.
Rocky also raised concerns regarding the damaged Shilikchay–Omachikthang Road and the failure of the crossing system, which have reportedly caused considerable hardship to the general public. He sought immediate restoration and a technical review of the works executed in 2023 to ascertain the causes of the present condition and to ensure accountability in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.
The Administrative Secretary gave a patient hearing to the issues presented and assured that the matters would be examined on priority in accordance with departmental norms, technical feasibility, and public interest considerations.
Rocky expressed hope that the concerns raised on behalf of the local population would receive due attention and that appropriate remedial measures would be undertaken at the earliest.

07/06/2026

Kargil, June 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kargil observed World Environment Day by organizing a plantation drive at District Hospital Kargil under the nationwide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” as part of the celebrations commemorating “12 Years of Trust, Development and Public Welfare.”

The programme was headed by Haji Anayat Ali, Vice President BJP UT Ladakh, Assadullah Munshi, District President BJP Kargil, Adv. Hassanain Rocky, President BJP Yuva Morcha Kargil; Kacho Shamim, Mandal President Chiktan; Yasin Mir, Mandal President Trespone; Ahsan Ali Alico, Mandal President Town; Mohd Ali, President Akchamal; Kacho Mohammad, Mandal President Baroo; Hayder Ali, Mandal President Pashkum; and Mohammad Askary, Executive Member BJP Yuva Morcha Ladakh.
saplings were planted as a symbol of commitment towards environmental protection and sustainable development. The participants emphasized that every tree planted today is an investment in a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future. The drive also served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of increasing green cover and preserving the fragile ecosystem of the region.

Addressing the gathering, the leaders emphasized that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility that requires continuous public participation. They noted that the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign serves as a meaningful reminder that small individual actions can collectively bring about significant environmental change. Stressing the need for sustained efforts, they urged citizens to plant and nurture trees, conserve natural resources, and take ownership of preserving Kargil’s rich ecological heritage for future generations

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