JAMMU, July 28, 2025 : Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, received a rousing welcome as he arrived in his hometown Jammu for the first time since assuming office. Amid chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and waving tricolours, hundreds gathered at the Jammu airport to greet him.
Speaking to reporters, Gupta said he will soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to highlight Ladakh’s immense development potential.
“There is enormous scope for development in Ladakh — especially in tourism. People have high expectations, and we’re working diligently to meet them,” he said. Gupta revealed that projects worth ₹180 crore were launched just a day earlier and emphasized the need for unspent funds to be carried forward due to Ladakh’s short work season caused by weather constraints.
On the Zoji-La Tunnel, he said the tunnel’s two ends will be connected by March next year, significantly improving access to the region. “Ladakh already has good roads, and we are working to strengthen them further,” he added.
Addressing local governance, Gupta said efforts are underway to ensure administrative coordination and basic services even in remote areas. “We’re working at the grassroots level to ensure effective delivery,” he stated.
Taking a strong stance against Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, Gupta accused certain political parties of habitually exonerating Pakistan. “Some parties always find a way to speak Pakistan’s language. There’s no doubt the terrorists came from outside, though some locals may have supported them,” he asserted.
He urged political leaders to refrain from politicizing issues like Operation Sindoor and instead stand united for the nation. Reflecting on his recent visit to the Kargil War Memorial, Gupta said, “We must respect the deep sacrifices of our soldiers. Politicizing such matters is neither appropriate nor patriotic.”
