Summary:
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K Lahiri has called for Ladakh’s development strategy to leverage its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewable-energy potential while protecting the environment and creating sustainable livelihoods. At a meeting with senior officials, he reviewed challenges and projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, education, tourism, energy, water and employment, and proposed support for young entrepreneurs through training, mentoring and the Atal Innovation Mission. Discussions also covered strengthening science and innovation, creating a database of business ideas, improving power and connectivity infrastructure, and setting measurable development targets.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok K Lahiri has said Ladakh’s development plans should be built around the Union territory’s distinctive advantages, including its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewable-energy potential. He stressed that these strengths should be developed while protecting the environment and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Lahiri chaired a meeting with senior administrative officials, including Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, to assess ongoing projects and challenges across infrastructure, connectivity, education, tourism, energy, water and employment. During Saturday’s meeting, Kundra presented an overview of Ladakh’s financial position and key economic challenges, along with sector-wise trends in GSDP, GSVA and employment, an official spokesperson said.
In response to the Chief Secretary’s request for assistance in developing Ladakh’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, Lahiri said NITI Aayog would support the training and mentoring of young entrepreneurs through programmes such as the Atal Innovation Mission.
He also suggested establishing a centralised database of promising business ideas and connecting young entrepreneurs from Ladakh with experienced mentors from outside the Union territory. Discussions also covered ways to strengthen support for science, technology and innovation and to prepare a development roadmap with measurable targets for economic and social progress.
Lahiri reiterated that Ladakh’s development approach should make effective use of its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewable-energy capabilities while maintaining environmental sustainability and creating lasting livelihoods.
The meeting also examined infrastructure gaps, particularly in power and connectivity, and reviewed key ongoing and proposed projects, including the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), power transmission initiatives, road connectivity, the new domestic airport terminal, 4G services and other major infrastructure projects.
