LG Saxena marks 100 days in office with inauguration of water reservoir under Project Him Sarovar in Ladakh

Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated a newly created water body under Project Him Sarovar at Spituk Pharka in Leh, paving the way for the commencement of agricultural activities in the region after ages. This is the first of the four water bodies being created at the site under Project Him Sarovar. Another three water bodies are nearing completion and will be operationalised soon.

Saxena, immediately upon assuming charge as L-G Ladakh on 13 March 2026, had adopted a mission-mode approach to address Ladakh’s water scarcity challenges and strengthen long-term water security in the region and conceptualised Project Him Sarovar.

Project Him Sarovar was launched by Saxena on April 10. The water body at Spituk Pharka, at an altitude of 11,500 feet, has been completed and inaugurated in just 60 days. The newly created reservoir is expected to benefit thousands of farmers by ensuring an adequate water supply to irrigate agricultural fields in the Spituk area, which has been barren for ages.

Measuring 60 x 40 metres and 2 metres deep, this pond can hold nearly 60 lakh litres of water for long-term water security in the region. The locals, led by the Numberdar (village head), expressed sincere gratitude to the LG, saying this initiative was unprecedented in Ladakh and would help ensure water and agricultural security and sustainability in the high-altitude villages of Ladakh.

Reflecting on his 100-day journey, LG Saxena, while addressing the gathering, described Project Him Sarovar as a historic initiative and the result of collective efforts towards efficient water management, climate resilience and prosperity of the people of Ladakh. He observed that in a region where water availability has become one of the most pressing challenges, the project represents a practical and scientific solution to strengthen water security and safeguard livelihoods.

Saxena expressed satisfaction that the reservoir, initially scheduled for completion in ninety days, had been completed in just sixty days, reflecting the dedication, sincerity and hard work of engineers, field staff and local communities.

The Lieutenant Governor noted that the completion of the reservoir on the day he completed one hundred days in office was symbolic of the Administration’s commitment to translating vision into action and delivering tangible benefits to the people in a time-bound manner.

Noting that the true strength of Ladakh lies in its people, LG Saxena highlighted that meaningful development requires active community participation and collective ownership.

Highlighting key achievements of the Administration, Saxena informed that under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan, the country’s first Himalayan Rock Check Dam has been constructed to strengthen water and agricultural sustainability in Ladakh, with four additional check dams planned in the near future. He also referred to the revival of the 43-kilometre-long Igoo-Phey Canal and the 2.1-kilometre-long Mahey Canal, which are enhancing irrigation and agricultural productivity in high-altitude regions.

Saxena reiterated that environmental protection has remained one of the foremost priorities of his Administration. Recognising Ladakh’s fragile ecology and increasing vulnerability to climate change, he informed that more than 35,000 saplings have been planted in just one hundred days, laying the foundation for a greener and more climate-resilient Ladakh.

The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism, improving livelihoods and accelerating economic development, including simplified licensing and registration procedures for hotels and tour operators, integration of twenty-three government services across thirteen departments on a digital platform under Ease of Doing Business reforms, agreements for export of Ladakhi apricots and improving livelihoods in border villages, development of Chumur under the Vibrant Village Programme and the preparation of Ladakh’s first-ever Master Plan.