States » NorthPosted at: Oct 15 2026 3:25PM


Modi slams previous governments for ‘neglect’ of Ladakh, says development accelerated since 2019

Srinagar, Oct15 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised previous governments for what he described as neglect of Ladakh’s development, asserting that the region has witnessed accelerated progress since it was granted union Territory status in 2019.
He made the remarks while inaugurating and dedicating development projects worth around Rs 3,350 crore to the region through video conferencing. He inaugurated the new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, built at a cost of Rs 640 crore, 298-km Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road, the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project, the 66 kV Dah–Hanu–Khaltsi Transmission Line, India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, and 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar.
Modi said it is often said that life in Ladakh is challenging because of its harsh climatic conditions, extreme temperatures and difficult terrain.
“Unfortunately, in spite of circumstances, earlier governments did not give priority to the development of Ladakh. But today, for the central government, the development of Ladakh is a great priority,” Modi said in his address.
Highlighting the expansion of infrastructure and public services, the Prime Minister said greater attention had been paid to Ladakh’s development since the formation of the union Territory in 2019.
Citing figures to underline the scale of development, Modi said Ladakh’s road network had expanded from around 1,800 km in 2019 to more than 4,000 km, while the number of major bridges had increased from 19 to 75 and helipads from seven to 40.
He also claimed that tap-water coverage had increased from 3.5 per cent of households to 99.99 per cent and that hospital bed capacity had doubled.
Ladakh was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and granted union Territory status in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the state into two union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, with a legislature, and Ladakh, without a legislature.
Modi said the five major project initiatives that were inaugurated today, spanning airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, power generation and transmission, heritage conservation and water security, were part of the Centre’s efforts to improve connectivity and create economic opportunities in the strategically located Himalayan region.
The Prime Minister said the Centre was focusing on creating better educational, research and skill-development opportunities for Ladakh’s youth so they would not have to depend on other cities for higher education and professional growth.
He said Leh was emerging as a centre of excellence, with proposals for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu aimed at expanding opportunities for higher education, research and skill development.
“Our focus is on the new generation of Ladakh. Young people should get a good education. They should get an opportunity to learn new technology, and they should not have to depend on other cities,” Modi said.
He said the government was also working to promote Ladakh’s sporting potential, noting that young people from the region had made their mark in ice hockey, winter sports and mountaineering.
Modi said efforts were being made under Ladakh’s new sports policy to provide better training and facilities to young athletes and create opportunities for them to compete at national and international levels.
Highlighting the role of digital connectivity in expanding opportunities, he said improved high-speed internet access would help young people pursue online education, access government services and connect local businesses with wider markets.
Modi also emphasised the economic potential of Ladakh’s indigenous products, including Pashmina, seabuckthorn, apricots and traditional handicrafts, saying the government was working to improve their branding, expand market access and ensure that producers directly benefited from growing demand.
He said these initiatives, along with investments in infrastructure and education, were aimed at creating new opportunities for the region’s younger generation.
UNI MJR RSA
Tags: #Modi slams previous governments for ‘neglect’ of Ladakh# says development accelerated since 2019
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