Second coldest place in the world being developed as a modern town

Drass, Oct 6 (UNI) The gateway of Ladakh, Drass, which is second coldest place in the world after Siberia, is being developed into a beautiful modern town, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said.

Addressing a public meeting here, Mr Azad said that granting sub-division status to Drass is a step forward in this direction and also fulfilling cherished desire of people of the area.

He said that tourist village and other tourism related infrastructure are being established in the area to make it a comfortable stay place for the tourists and travelers visiting Ladakh.

The Chief Minister said that development works worth Rs 5 crore have already been started in Drass sub-division and many more are in the pipe-line.

Drass hit the International headlines when Pakistani intruders occupied almost all the peaks in 2000. However, they were later evicted by the Indian Army.

Mr Azad said a girls higher secondary school for the area is also being established, which will be operative from next education season, adding that government is granting priority to development of education in far-flung, border and backward areas like Drass.

He said 10 primary schools have already been opened in the area to universalise primary education.

He said Leh and Kargil districts have had added benefits by this state-centre coordination, adding that two mega power projects, one each in Kargil and Leh, are one of the outcomes.

UNI BAS VD ND1738