Public Health Engineering (PHE)

Introduction: –

The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department of Kargil, under the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh, plays a vital role in ensuring the supply of safe and adequate drinking water and the development of sanitation infrastructure across the district. Operating in one of the most challenging and high-altitude regions of India, the department is responsible for planning, designing, executing, and maintaining water supply schemes in both rural and urban areas of Kargil.

Vision: –

To ensure universal access to safe, adequate, and sustainable drinking water and sanitation facilities for all residents of Kargil District, even in the most remote and climatically challenging areas, by leveraging modern engineering, community participation, and environmental stewardship.”

Objectives: –

The PHE Department of Kargil aims to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and sanitation services in one of India’s most challenging high-altitude regions. Its key objectives are:

1. Universal Access to Drinking Water: –

• Ensure functional tap water connection (FHTC) to every household under the Jal Jeevan

Mission (JJM).

• Prioritize remote, border, and underserved villages in Kargil district.

2. Development of Resilient Water Infrastructure: –

• Design and implement climate-adapted infrastructure suitable for extreme winters (e.g.,

insulated pipes, underground reservoirs).

• Construct and maintain gravity-fed and pump-based water supply schemes.

3. Water Quality Assurance: –

• Establish and strengthen district and sub-divisional water testing laboratories.
• Conduct regular water quality monitoring and testing to meet national drinking water standards.

4. Community Participation and Ownership: –

• Form and support Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs).
• Involve communities in operation, maintenance, and sustainability of water systems.

5. Promotion of Sanitation and Hygiene: –

• Improve public awareness on hygiene, water conservation, and safe sanitation practices.
• Encourage the use of safe toilets and discourage open defecation.

6. Capacity Building and Skill Development: –

• Train departmental staff, engineers, and local communities on operation, maintenance, and

water quality management.

• Promote certification and skill enhancement for lab technicians and field workers.

7. Efficient Project Monitoring & Governance: –

• Implement transparent monitoring systems for tracking project progress, fund utilization, and

service delivery.

• Conduct regular review meetings with officials and stakeholders to ensure timely completion of

works.

8. Environmental Sustainability: –

• Promote water source sustainability, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly technologies.
• Protect water sources from contamination and over-extraction.

These objectives are designed to meet both the immediate needs and long-term goals of public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development in Kargil.