LG Kavinder Gupta Meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh; Seeks Enhanced Air Connectivity, Continued Humanitarian Support For Ladakh
New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Monday and held detailed discussions on improving welfare initiatives and connectivity measures for the Union Territory, especially during the harsh winter months when Ladakh remains cut off from the rest of the country.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor briefed the Defence Minister on the challenges faced by Ladakh’s residents due to extreme weather and limited access in winter. He sought the Ministry’s continued support under Operation Sadbhavana, an Indian Army initiative that has been instrumental in promoting education, healthcare, and community welfare across remote areas of Ladakh.
Emphasising the importance of reliable transport links, Gupta urged for enhanced air connectivity to ensure uninterrupted supply of essentials and emergency services during winter. He requested the continuation of air services on the Kargil–Thoise–Chandigarh route and proposed improved Leh–Delhi air maintenance operations to support logistics, passenger travel, and medical evacuations when roads are closed by snowfall.
The Lt Governor also expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister for the Ministry’s steadfast support to Ladakh’s border communities, particularly for facilitating civilian medical evacuations and contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated the issues raised and assured full cooperation from the Ministry of Defence, in coordination with relevant agencies, to strengthen connectivity and expand humanitarian outreach efforts across Ladakh.
