Navneet Dubey
Jammu: Ladakh’s bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir has reaped dividends for the cold desert region as its health, education, and Energy Infrastructure have improved in the past five years after being carved into a union territory. Ladakh made a Union Territory in 2019,and has witnessed transformative strides in health, education, and energy infrastructure over the past five years, the government told the Rajya Sabha.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, detailed the advancements, attributing them to focused efforts by the Government of India post-reorganization.
Ladakh’s healthcare infrastructure has seen massive improvements. The number of hospital beds increased from 824 before 2019 to 1,554 as of 2024. Oxygen bed capacity more than doubled from 461 to 1,078, while ICU beds tripled from 11 to 31. The number of doctors rose from 170 to 312, ensuring better patient care. Furthermore, the number of Health and Wellness Centres, critical for primary healthcare delivery, expanded dramatically from just six to 321 across the Union Territory, a testament to the region’s growing healthcare focus.
In education, Ladakh’s enrolments have grown from 46,895 students to 54,756, supported by a slight increase in the number of teachers from 6,197 to 6,334. Infrastructure improvements include an increase in hostels from 15 to 30, the establishment of 148 ICT labs and 230 smart classrooms, and the addition of 150 new classrooms and laboratories.
The Government has also distributed 17,500 tablets to students in Class 6 and above, empowering them with digital learning tools. Initiatives like the establishment of 24 Atal Tinkering Labs and 40 astronomy labs underscore Ladakh’s focus on fostering innovation and scientific curiosity. Importantly, the number of toilets for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) increased from 22 to 184, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education.
Ladakh also witnessed significant transformation in power distribution. The length of 66 kV transmission lines increased from 257.31 km to 293.15 km, while the number of 66/11 kV substations rose from 10 to 16, with their capacity doubling from 76.7 MVA to 154.5 MVA. Two new 33/11 kV substations were added with a total capacity of 6.3 MVA.
The number of distribution transformers surged from 1,182 to 2,781, and their combined capacity grew from 114.36 MVA to 283.56 MVA. The length of LT lines increased from 2,540 km to 3,087 km, and the number of consumers rose from 52,535 to 74,206. Notably, the Srinagar-Leh 220 kV Transmission Line was completed, significantly enhancing energy security and supply reliability in the region.
