NEW DELHI, August 5, 2025 : Since being granted Union Territory status in 2019, Ladakh has seen the construction and upgradation of approximately 1,670 kilometres of roads, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that significant improvements in road infrastructure have been made under various central government schemes, including the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and UT-administered initiatives.
“The Union Territory of Ladakh is now better equipped with snow-clearance machinery to maintain road connectivity even during harsh winters. In addition, helipads have been constructed at multiple locations to enhance overall accessibility,” Rai said.
The minister noted that improved road connectivity has positively impacted the region’s tourism sector. “The newly constructed roads have not only reduced travel time and ensured year-round access but also opened up new tourist destinations and promoted winter and adventure tourism in Ladakh,” he added.
Tourist arrivals in the region have seen a steady rise since UT formation. As per official data, Ladakh recorded 2,79,937 tourist arrivals in 2019. The numbers increased to 5,31,396 in 2022, 5,25,374 in 2023, and 3,76,386 in 2024.
Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. On the same day, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was also reorganised into a separate UT.
