(Image source from: financialexpress.com)

Modi government granted Union Territory status to Ladakh on 5th August 2019. After taking the historic decision, the government had initiated many several development projects for clean, healthy and wealthy Union territory of Ladakh.

The central government in 2019 had carved out two UT’s out of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir. One being the J&K and the other is the Ladakh. Ladakhis have been for years to get the Union Territory status.

In 1949, people of Ladakh placed their first request for being declared as a UT so that the development needs required would be fulfilled. But the then government had completely ruled out the request.

Then, the agitation for the demand of UT status begun under the leadership of Kushok Bakula, and was later carried forward by another Ladakhi leader Thupstan Chhewang. Both of them had taken the issue to the parliament.

BJP has been promising to give the UT status to Ladakhis once it was elected to form the government. As promised, the Modi government in its second term has made the historic decision and also has initiated several development projects for the well being of the people of Ladakh.

Here’s the list of developments till date:

• In February 2019, 220 KV Srinagar-Kargil-Leh transmission system was completed and dedicated to people of Ladakh.
• With this, Ladakh became exposed to high quality power supply and also has become a part of the National Grid.
• By this, the power could be supplied across Ladakh and surplus power can be evacuated from there in summer.
• PM Modi also had inaugurated 9 MW Dah Hydro electric project and a 220 KV transmission line for overall electrification of every household in Ladakh in February 2019.
• A 250 km long Dabruk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road was constructed in Galwan valley enabling year-round connectivity between Karakoram Pass and Leh.
• A new terminal building of the KBR airport was also started in Leh and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir was also started in 2019.
• For the development of Ladakh, a whopping Rs. 5998 crore was dedicated by the centre for the fiscal year 2020-21.
• Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh also held a conference with CII to promote industry and tourism in Ladakh.
• PM Modi had also given a green signal for the central university in Ladakh with a center on Buddhist studies. The university will provide degree in all courses such as liberal arts and basic sciences.
• Moreover, 5% of the seats were allocated to the Ladakhi people in NIIT Srinagar.
• Khelo India winter games were held in Ladakh for the first time in February 2020.
• The government has approved Rs. 5000 crore photo voltaic project in leh and kargil districts. It is the first biggest investment proposal in Ladakh since it was made a UT.
• PM Modi had also vowed to make Ladakh a carbon-free region in the coming years.
• Rs. 500 crore Mission organic Development Initiative (MODI) project has already been started in the region.
• This project promotes organic agriculture and will be implemented in three phases.
• Phase-1: 66 villages will be converted into organic ones by 2021.
• Phase-2: 85 villages will get the certification by 2023.
• Phase-3: Remaining 90 villages will be declared organic by 2025.
• The statue of Sengge Namgyal, the 17th century king of Namgyal dynasty has been opened.
• He was revered by the Ladakhis for building many monasteries, shrines and palaces during his reign.
• Cultural tourism is being promoted by the government by enabling tourists to stay in monasteries.
• Eco tourism activities like bird watching and wild life safaris are being promoted in the region.
• Siachen Glacier is now open for tourists from where the beautiful terrain of Ladakh can be seen.
• A motorable bridge of 3.82 meter span over river Shayok was opened.
• Construction of 54 mobile towers has also started in Ladakh under the Universal Service Obligation Fund.

By Gayatri Yellayi