Leh, Aug 05 (KNO): Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, on Wednesday said Ladakh has witnessed unprecedented development across infrastructure, connectivity, governance, tourism and public services since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, asserting that "development is impossible without strong infrastructure."
Addressing the gathering at the dPal rNgam Doston 2026 celebrations marking the UT Ladakh Foundation Day, Saxena, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) highlighted the transformation in the region over the past seven years, saying the road network has expanded from 1,799 kilometres in 2019 to over 4,063 kilometres, while the number of bridges has increased from 19 to more than 72.
He said the annual closure of the strategic Zoji La Pass due to snowfall has reduced dramatically from 127 days to just 16 days, while the Kargil–Zanskar road now remains closed for only 11 days annually, compared to 154 days before 2019.
"The breakthrough of the strategically important Zoji La Tunnel was completed in June this year, while work on the Shyok La Tunnel is progressing rapidly," the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also announced that the new passenger terminal at Leh Airport will be completed this year, while preparations are underway to start passenger flight services from the first airport in Nubra Valley.
Highlighting improvements in connectivity and essential services, Saxena said the number of helipads has increased from 7 to 41, grid-connected villages from 145 to 185, while off-grid solar power generation capacity has nearly doubled from 3,972 kilowatts to 7,765 kilowatts.
He said Functional Household Tap Connections, which stood at only 3.5 per cent in 2019, have now reached 99 per cent, while Ladakh, which had no greenhouses before 2019, now has 4,400 greenhouses.
The Lieutenant Governor further said hospital bed capacity has increased from 824 to 1,544, mobile towers from 344 to 653, while homestays have grown from 158 in 2019 to 2,275 at present.
He informed that the Government of India has approved the Leh Bypass Project, estimated at nearly ₹1,000 crore, saying it will ease traffic congestion in Leh town and significantly improve local connectivity.
LG Saxena said projects including Himsarovar, Rock Check Dams, Ecofit and the Mahe Canals will strengthen Ladakh's long-term water security, while initiatives such as the Green Ladakh Campaign, degraded land restoration, water conservation and renewable energy programmes will ensure sustainable development for future generations.
Referring to governance reforms, the Lieutenant Governor termed decentralisation as one of Ladakh's biggest achievements.
"Earlier Ladakh had only two districts. This year, five new districts have been created, taking the total to seven. Similarly, 17 new tehsils have been established, increasing the total from 15 to 32," he said.
He added that new divisions have also been created in the Public Works Department, Rural Engineering, Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control Department to strengthen governance in the newly created districts.
"The objective of these reforms is not merely to open new government offices, but to bring governance closer to the people," he said.
On tourism, LG Saxena said the sector has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of Ladakh's economy.
He said tourist arrivals increased from around 2.8 lakh in 2019 to nearly 3.5 lakh last year, while around 3.3 lakh tourists have already visited Ladakh by July this year. "We expect tourist arrivals to cross four lakh by the end of the year," he said.
According to him, the growth in tourism will generate employment and livelihood opportunities for hotels, homestays, taxi operators, handicrafts and other local businesses. He added that hotels, guest houses, resorts and homestays have been granted industry status to further promote the sector.
LG Saxena also said border destinations including Hanle, Durtuk and Siachen have been opened for tourism, while emphasising the need to balance tourism with environmental protection and national security.
Highlighting efforts to preserve Ladakh's cultural heritage, he said 23 ancient monuments have been declared protected monuments, while India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park is being established on the banks of the Indus River in Leh.
He also said the Leh Old Town Redevelopment Project is underway to preserve the region's unique cultural identity.
During the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor announced that the Supranam Doston Award 2026 will be conferred upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards education, healthcare, gender equality, environmental conservation and heritage preservation in Ladakh.
He announced that the Supranam Doston Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred posthumously upon Late Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, Maha Vir Chakra, honouring his exceptional courage, leadership and patriotism during the Kargil War.
Calling him one of Ladakh's greatest sons, LG Saxena said the decorated Army officer's life continues to inspire generations of Indians with the values of courage, duty, patriotism and selfless service.
The Lieutenant Governor said Ladakh's journey of transformation is far from complete and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to making the Union Territory a model of development, good governance, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and national security.
"We must preserve our traditions while embracing modernity and play a leading role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Together, we will build a prosperous, peaceful, self-reliant and opportunity-filled Ladakh," he said—(KNO)