**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 222, the Ministry of Home Affairs addresses the improvements in road connectivity in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh since its reorganization in 2019. The response, delivered on August 5, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, highlights significant advancements in infrastructure development.
Approximately 1,670 kilometers of additional road have been constructed, black-topped, or metalled under various Central Government schemes, including the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and schemes specific to the UT of Ladakh. These efforts aim to enhance connectivity to remote areas, especially during the winter months.
To ensure year-round accessibility, the UT of Ladakh has invested in snow clearance machinery and constructed helipads at strategic locations. These measures are designed to maintain road connectivity despite heavy snowfall.
The improved road connectivity has positively impacted the tourism sector. The enhanced infrastructure has reduced travel time, facilitated safer and more efficient year-round travel, opened up new tourist locations, boosted winter tourism, and attracted adventure enthusiasts. This has resulted in a significant increase in tourist numbers. Specifically, tourist arrivals were 279,937 in 2019, increasing to 531,396 in 2022, 525,374 in 2023, and 376,386 in 2024.
Key Entities Referenced
Ladakh: A Union Territory of India, formerly part of Jammu and Kashmir, reorganized in 2019.
SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding road connectivity in Ladakh.
DR. BHOLA SINGH: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding road connectivity in Ladakh.
Central Road Infrastructure Fund CRIF: A scheme of the Central Government used for road construction in Ladakh.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana PMGSY: A Central Government scheme used for road construction in Ladakh.
SHRI NITYANAND RAI: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and policy matters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *222
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 14, 1947 (SAKA)
ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN UT OF LADAKH
†*222. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:
DR. BHOLA SINGH:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether road connectivity has improved/expanded after the
reorganisation of the Union Territory of Ladakh;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure connectivity of
remote areas with the headquarters during winter; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with impact of the same on the
development of tourism sector?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House.-2-
L.S.S.Q. No.*222 FOR 05.08.2025
POSITION No.02
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *222
FOR 5th AUGUST 2025 BY SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI AND DR. BHOLA
SINGH REGARDING ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN UT OF LADAKH
(a): There has been significant improvement in road connectivity in the
Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh after its reorganization. As per the
information provided by the UT of Ladakh, under various schemes of the
Central Government including Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF),
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and schemes of the UT of
Ladakh, approximately 1,670 kilometers of additional road has been
constructed/black topped/metalled by the UT administration after
formation of the UT of Ladakh in 2019.
(b): To ensure connectivity of remote areas with the headquarters during
winter, the UT of Ladakh is now well equipped with snow clearance
machineries to ensure that the road connectivity is maintained during
heavy snowfalls. Helipads are also constructed at different locations to
improve the connectivity.
(c): The improved road connectivity along with various other initiatives
taken by the UT administration, has significantly helped in development
of the tourism sector. The improved road connectivity has also helped in-3-
L.S.S.Q. No.*222 FOR 05.08.2025
reducing travel time, safe and efficient year-round travel, opening up of
new tourist locations, boosting the winter tourism and attracting
adventure enthusiasts to the region, which in turn, has led to rise in tourist
numbers. As per information provided by the UT of Ladakh, a total of
2,79,937 tourists visited the region in 2019, whereas post UT formation,
tourism saw a significant increase with 5,31,396 visitors in 2022; 5,25,374
in 2023; and 3,76,386 in 2024.
********