Army sacrifices ‘Firing Range’ to Kargil’s Smart City

Jammu: While the valour of Indian Army even after more than two decades of Operation Vijay Diwas (Kargil War) is taught to new generation with proud citizens of the country, the ‘olive’ for the development of newly created Union Territory of Ladakh, has sacrificed its prominent ‘Firing Range’ of Kargil for smart city project to convert dream of Smart Township of Kargil Hill Council into a reality.

Situated close to the Line of Control in the foothills, Kargil will soon be a smart city for which the blueprint is almost ready and to be implemented on ground in coming days. Sources in the Ladakh UT here said that as the Smart City blueprint is on cards, the Army has agreed to vacate its Kharo field firing range at Khurbathang, which is about 15 kms from the Line of Control.

Sources said that 1700 kanals of army firing range will help to make the dream of Smart Township of Kargil Hill Council--a reality.

“Preparations have begun for the Centre’s Smart City Project and vacating Army’s firing range was one of their major demands of local populace to convert dream project into reality,” sources said and added that the Army, while agreeing to vacate the range, have also given nod for the development of the area.

“The Army has decided to vacate the range in six months for expansion of the town and the Kargil Administration has made a chunk of land available for a new firing range in Mulbakh, some sixty kilometers from Kargil town,” they added.

Recently sources said that a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Army and the Kargil administration for vacating firing range and new land allotted, and added, “once the weather improves with the melting of snow, the pace of work for establishing new firing range will be expedited and smart city project will take off.”

Sources however, said that the new Kargil Smart City will have all facilities along with waste disposal, adding, “the old Kargil town was developed in a non-planned way. All the facilities in the township are now being developed in a systematic and planned manner.”

In collaboration with the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry, the smart city will also have water conservation, better road connectivity, wider streets, drains, street lights, better electricity and water supply, and parking.

“A roadmap has also been prepared to improve the economic level of the people by promoting tourism in the Smart City and the constructions taking place in future will also be earthquake resistant,” they said and added that new beautified city is to be built on 1700 kanal of land in the foothills of the mountains in Khurbathang.

The Army’s 50-year lease on the Kharo Field Firing Range at Khurbathang was ended in November 2003 and after this, it was extended for 10 years, which expired in 2013.

The Jammu and Kashmir government started pressing the Army to vacate 10 firing ranges, including this but with creation of UTs, the army has been told to relocate the range on getting alternate ground. Demand for withdrawal of the Kharo Field Firing Range from the Army was being raised several times since 1970 due to its proximity to Kargil town and after Ladakh becoming the Union Territory, the concern was raised with the Ministry of Defence and ultimately, the Army agreed to that to give wings to dream project of the Kargil residents.
Updated On 1/19/2021 10:30:29 AM