LG Ladakh Operationalises Vital Igoo Phey Irrigation Canal to Boost Agriculture

LEH, MAY 15, 2026 :- Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has officially operationalised the Igoo–Phey Irrigation Canal at Martselang in Leh by releasing water into the newly restored system.

The canal underwent extensive repairs, de-silting, and cleaning in a record time of just 20 days following an inspection on April 25. Although construction of the canal originally began in 1979 and concluded in 2005, the infrastructure had remained in a state of disrepair for years, failing to serve its intended purpose until this recent intervention.

The release of water marks the formal commencement of the irrigation season in Ladakh for the current year. Once the water reaches the far end of the canal over the next 60 hours, it is expected to provide essential irrigation to 4,334 hectares of agricultural land.

To maximize the impact of this project, the Lieutenant Governor has directed officials to construct distributary channels for wider outreach and has invited agricultural scientists to collaborate with local farmers.

These experts will focus on crop diversification strategies suited to the unique climate of Ladakh, aiming to enhance farmer income and ensure long-term water security and prosperity for the region.