Kargil, May 13: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil, Dr Muhammad Jaffar Akhoon Tuesday revealed that the Union Territory’s Transport department has officially devolved powers for the establishment of a Statutory Transport Board. He also unveiled sweeping reforms to streamline the transport management system (TMS) in the Union Territory.
This pivotal move is expected to introduce far-reaching reforms in vehicle regulation, road safety and pollution control. Once fully operational, the board will oversee crucial aspects such as vehicle fitness certification, driver licensing and transport service monitoring, offering much-needed structure to Ladakh’s evolving transit ecosystem.
“This has been a longstanding demand. With the statutory board in place, we can now streamline operations, ensure environmental compliance, and deliver more accountable services for both residents and visitors,” Dr Akhoon said while speaking to media men at Kargil.
In a strong pitch for the interests of Ladakhi motorists, Dr Akhoon also raised the issue of toll taxes being levied at Sonamarg on vehicles registered in UT Ladakh, despite them traversing a National Highway. “I have twice raised this concern with the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal. There is no justification for charging toll from vehicles registered in Ladakh. The DC has assured me that a corrigendum exempting Ladakh vehicles will be issued soon. If it is not, I will not hesitate to escalate the matter to higher authorities in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The toll controversy has stirred discontent among residents and transporters who argue that such charges are discriminatory and hamper movement between the two regions — especially during peak travel seasons. Dr Akhoon reiterated LAHDC Kargil’s unwavering commitment to improving basic infrastructure and connectivity. He announced the establishment of a 24×7 Helpline Centre, staffed by police officials and district officers, to assist both local travellers and tourists navigating Ladakh’s challenging terrain. he added. As Ladakh sees a surge in tourist inflow and local transit needs grow, the proposed transport board and continued policy engagement signal a proactive shift towards institutionalised governance in the UT.
