Ladakh is top priority of GoI as is evident from development projects completed or in pipeline as mentioned in annual report of MHA. For seventy years, one of the highest and toughest place to live, became accustomed to minus temperature with roads closed, almost no electricity, virtually no air connectivity, no university, no Government Medical College to name few of the basic things essential for day to day life but were missing for decades in Ladakh. It is beyond one’s imagination to live without electricity in minus 40 degrees temperature. Hats off to brave people of Ladakh who faced it but the present GoI has totally changed the discourse now. Development has been ushered in unprecedented way after Ladakh became a separate UT. GoI has analysed the situation and special requirements of the region and skew of measures taken are a testimony to Government’s commitment to develop Model Ladakh at the earliest. Connectivity has been a prime handicap in the past and even at present for a place which is cut off by road from rest of world for almost six months. Only connectivity for these six months is air connectivity to Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh and New Delhi via Leh airport but inter-district and other roads also remain blocked meaning no access to even hospitals even during emergency. Construction of forty helipads in record time for a UT of such small population speaks about the focus of GoI for Ladakh’s day to day problems and army requirements. Thousands of people, especially patients, have availed subsidised helicopter services in last one year. GoI’s aim is ultimately to have Carbon-neutral and resource efficient Ladakh and all new projects are in this direction only. Solar plants, in addition to 5.0 GW Solar Project at Pang in Leh and 2.50 GW Solar Project at Zanskar in Kargil, at various other places are operational now replacing carbon emitting diesel gensets along with new transmission lines with a target to have 24×7 electricity at inaccessible as well as remotest area. Solar powered lift water projects are conceived to provide drinking as well as day to day use water by using submersible pumps running on solar power for use of clean energy in the agriculture sector as well. First ever Geo-Thermal Field Development Project has been sanctioned which will generate 24×7 power from the heat emerging out of Earth’s interior with 80% less greenhouse gases emission than oil or coal. Natural hot water so emerging will be used for space heating as well as swimming pools to attract more tourists. This is unlimited 24x7x365 renewable energy unlike hydropower dams which shut or work at much lower efficiency during winter months. Zero carbon emission is the ultimate aim, as electric buses are operational and hydrogen buses are to be introduced by next year with in-house facility for generation of hydrogen using solar power at Chuchot, Leh.
LG administration of Ladakh is focusing at grass root level development and with every passing month more panchayats, more BDO offices, more Common Facilities Centre with ultra internet connectivity have been provided at panchayat level to assure people get benefit from each and every Government welfare scheme. Road connectivity is on top priority now as motorable roads even at remotest village is no more dream but reality. People of Ladakh are now reaping and enjoying true fruits of freedom and democracy. Indian Government has assured Ladakhi’s get their long pending dues with interest now as dream projects assigned nowhere in India have been allotted to Ladakh as first priority. Basic infra facilities, education and health facilities are development parameters for any area and Ladakh is on jet-speed mode to achieve all this in shortest interval of time. Intent and sincerity to serve people is there, no doubt in no time Ladakh will be among top performing UTs.
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