Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh to strengthen local governance and bring services closer to residents. The new districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.
This administrative reorganization follows the designation of Ladakh as a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. This change also divided the region into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, bringing Ladakh directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“The establishment of these new districts is a clear reflection of the Modi government’s commitment to ensure that governance and development reaches every corner of the country,” Amit Shah said. He emphasized that these districts will facilitate better delivery of public services and opportunities directly to the citizens of Ladakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his support for the development on social media platform X, congratulating people for the new neighborhoods and hailing the move as a step towards better governance and prosperity.
Also Read
- 5-year-old Punjab boy youngest Asian to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro
- Jharkhand truck driver Rajesh earns Rs 10 Lakh a month from his YouTube videos
Earlier, Ladakh comprised only two districts, Leh and Kargil, each governed by its own autonomous district council. With the creation of Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang, the total number of districts in the region will rise to seven.
Ladakh’s strategic importance has increased in light of recent tensions in the eastern border regions, along with its popularity as a high-altitude tourism and motorcycling destination. The decision to create new districts has been well received at the local level, especially by Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who sees it as a crucial step towards comprehensive development of the region.