Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena
Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Ladakh on April 30, the Union Territory has been granted five new districts, taking the total number of districts from two to seven.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the notification for the creation of the new districts and announced the decision on X, calling it a major step towards improving governance and development in remote areas.
“A historic day for Ladakh. I have approved the notification for the creation of five new districts in Ladakh, fulfilling the aspirations and long-pending demand of the people. With the creation of Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass, Ladakh will now have seven districts instead of two. The development is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed and prosperous Ladakh,” the LG said in a post.
The five newly created districts are Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass.
The Centre had cleared the proposal for the creation of these districts in August 2024. The move is expected to bring administrative services closer to people living in far-flung and border areas.
He added that the decision, approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024, would strengthen grassroots governance, decentralise administration, and ensure faster delivery of public services, especially in far-flung areas.
“The creation of new districts will not only bring governance closer to the people but also open avenues for growth, employment, and entrepreneurship,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development.
Residents of Zanskar, Drass, Nubra, Changthang and Sham had long demanded separate district status, citing difficult terrain, long travel distances to existing headquarters, and administrative inconvenience.
