Ladakh expands from 2 to 7 districts ahead of Amit Shah's visit

SRINAGAR: Ladakh’s number of districts rose from two to seven after five more were added — Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass — in a notification issued Monday by lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, days before Union home minister Amit Shah is due to visit.

Calling it a “historic day”, Saxena said the move fulfils a long-pending demand and would “strengthen grassroots governance” and improve service delivery in remote areas. Ladakh earlier had two districts — Leh and Kargil — each governed by autonomous hill councils set up in 1995 and 2003, respectively.

Uncertainty remains over whether new districts will fall under existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council or get separate councils.

Saxena said the decision, approved by the Union home ministry in Aug 2024, aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a “developed and prosperous Ladakh”, adding it would open avenues for growth, jobs and entrepreneurship.

Shah is scheduled to reach Leh on April 30 for a two-day visit and attend events linked to Buddha Purnima, including paying respects to relics of Lord Buddha.

Leh’s BJP politician Tashi Gyalson called the decision “historic” and credited party workers. Kargil hill council chairman M Jaffer Akhoon termed it a “welcome development” but said demands for separate districts of Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan — among the most populated subdivisions — were not met.

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