Leh, Aug 15: Highlighting the transformation witnessed by Ladakh since its creation as a Union Territory in 2019, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday said the region has entered a new phase of development marked by expanded infrastructure, stronger governance and a focus on sustainable growth.
Addressing the 80th Independence Day function at Polo Ground, Leh, the Lieutenant Governor described the formation of Ladakh as a separate Union Territory as a historic milestone that accelerated development and brought administration closer to the people.
In a major announcement, Saxena said five new districts—Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass—had been created along with 17 new tehsils and 16 engineering divisions, significantly improving public service delivery in remote areas. He also said that the process to establish Hill Councils in all seven districts was underway to strengthen grassroots democracy and ensure local participation in development.
Highlighting improvements in connectivity, the Lieutenant Governor said Ladakh’s road network had expanded from about 1,799 kilometres before 2019 to over 4,200 kilometres, while the number of bridges had increased from 19 to 72. Strategic projects, including the Zojila Tunnel and Leh Bypass, he said, would further enhance all-weather connectivity and boost economic activity.
On the tourism front, Saxena said Ladakh had already received more than 3.30 lakh tourists by the end of July 2026, nearly matching the total arrivals recorded during the whole of 2025, indicating rapid growth in the sector.
The Lieutenant Governor also underlined the Administration’s emphasis on environmentally sustainable development. He highlighted initiatives such as Project Him Sarovar, Himalayan rock check dams, the Indus River Green Corridor, renewable energy projects and geothermal exploration at Puga as key measures aimed at ensuring water security and ecological balance.
Referring to the Pashmina sector, Saxena said the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board had been established and incentives had been extended to over 1,200 Pashmina producers. An ₹8-crore revolving fund, he said, had also been created to ensure timely payments and strengthen the livelihoods of Changpa herders.
Paying tribute to freedom fighters and security personnel serving in Ladakh’s harsh terrain, the Lieutenant Governor said the region’s progress was the result of collective efforts by farmers, herders, teachers, doctors, engineers and citizens.
Calling upon the youth to embrace innovation and emerging opportunities, Saxena stressed that development and environmental protection must move together to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for Ladakh.
