Built in just 60 days at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the reservoir can store nearly 60 lakh litres of water and is expected to transform farming prospects in the water-scarce Spituk region
BY PC Bureau
June 21: Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday inaugurated a new water reservoir at Spituk Pharka in Leh, marking his 100th day in office and delivering a significant boost to water security and agriculture in the high-altitude region.
The reservoir, developed under Project Him Sarovar, is the first of four planned water bodies at the site. Situated at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the reservoir measures 60 metres by 40 metres, with a depth of two metres and a storage capacity of nearly 60 lakh litres. It is expected to revive agricultural activity in the Spituk area, where fields have remained barren for years due to acute water scarcity.
Project Him Sarovar was conceptualised by the Lieutenant Governor shortly after he assumed office on March 13, 2026, and was formally launched on April 10. Notably, the first reservoir was completed in just 60 days, well ahead of the original 90-day timeline.
Inaugurated the first of the four large water bodies, created under Project Him Sarovar, at Spituk Farka today, by releasing glacier water into it, from the adjoining Igoo–Phey Canal.
By harnessing seasonal flows, this pond will recharge groundwater and rejuvenate large portion… pic.twitter.com/ba7xqsnojR
— LG Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) June 21, 2026
Addressing the gathering, LG Saxena described the project as a historic and practical step towards addressing Ladakh’s long-term water challenges. He said the initiative reflects the administration’s focus on efficient water management, climate resilience, and people-centric development.
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Local residents, led by the Numberdar (village head), welcomed the project and expressed gratitude to the administration, describing it as an unprecedented initiative that would ensure sustainable water availability and strengthen agricultural livelihoods in high-altitude villages.
Highlighting achievements during his first 100 days in office, the Lieutenant Governor cited several key initiatives, including:
- Construction of the country’s first Himalayan Rock Check Dam under the Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan, with four additional dams planned.
- Revival of the 43-km-long Igoo-Phey Canal and the 2.1-km Mahey Canal to improve irrigation facilities.
- Plantation of more than 35,000 saplings as part of environmental conservation efforts.
- Reforms aimed at simplifying licensing procedures for hotels and tour operators.
- Integration of 23 government services onto a digital platform under the Ease of Doing Business initiative.
- Programmes to promote apricot exports, strengthen livelihoods in border villages, and accelerate development in Chumur under the Vibrant Village Programme.
- Preparation of Ladakh’s first-ever Master Plan.
Describing the 100-day milestone as “just the beginning”, LG Saxena reaffirmed his commitment to the sustainable development of Ladakh through active participation of local communities and effective implementation of development projects.
The inauguration of the Spituk Pharka reservoir on the day he completed 100 days in office was widely seen as a symbolic demonstration of the administration’s emphasis on timely execution and delivery of tangible benefits to the people of Ladakh.
