In Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory, taking the total number of districts to seven. The newly created districts are Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. Earlier, Ladakh had only two districts: Leh and Kargil.

 

Describing it as a historic step, the Lieutenant Governor said the decision fulfils a long-pending demand and aspirations of the people of the region. He added that the move aligns with the vision of PM Modi for a developed and prosperous Ladakh. The decision, which had received approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024 under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to strengthen grassroots governance and improve administrative efficiency.

 

Officials said the creation of new districts will help decentralise administration and ensure faster delivery of public services, especially in remote and far-flung areas of the Union Territory. The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised that the move would open up new opportunities for growth, employment and entrepreneurship in the region.

 

Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019 after the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the largest UT in terms of area but has a sparse population. The administration has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this decision reach every citizen as Ladakh moves towards a stronger and more inclusive future.