1st winter-grade diesel outlet for region inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: Reiterating that the Narendra Modi Government was committed to bring all round development to the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said that Rs 50,000 crore power projects for Ladakh will be completed in the next four years.

“The new hydro electric and solar power projects planned for Ladakh at a cost of Rs 50,000 crore will produce 7,500 MW power and will be completed in the next four years,” he said while launching , through video conference, a special winter-grade diesel for the high altitude region which faces sub-zero temperatures during the winter months.

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The Home Minister stressed that the hydro and solar power projects in the next four years will not only bring development in the Ladakh region but will also create employment opportunities.

“The NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to bring the Leh-Ladakh region, which was neglected for the last 70 years, at par with the rest of the country,” he said and added that abrogation of Article 370 was the right step in this direction.

Shah said by bringing change in the status of Ladakh and enhancing the budget allocation, all-round development of the region has been ensured. He added that the newly introduced provisions of local taxation will augment Ladakh’s financial resources.

Referring to a series of developmental measures taken by the Modi Government in the last five years including the Srinagar-Leh transmission line for electricity, 14 solar projects for Leh and Kargil, Ladakh University, five new tourist circuits and tracks for tourists and mountaineers, Shah said the people of Ladakh, Leh and Kargil now enjoy the same rights and will be equal partners in the country’s development.

The winter-grade diesel launched by Shah has been produced by the Panipat Refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the first time.

It has a pour point of minus 33 degree Celsius and does not lose its fluidity even in the region’s extreme winter weather unlike normal grade diesel which becomes exceedingly difficult to use in sub-zero temperatures.

The Home Minister said the Winter-Grade Diesel will not only smoothen travel and transportation during peak tourist season in extreme cold, but will also help in giving a boost to tourism and supply needs of the region’s people, helping in overall economic growth.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Member of Parliament from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and other senior officials of the Home Ministry and Petroleum Ministry were present on the occasion.