Inspires youth to become architects; stresses connecting last mile of UT
Leh, Sept 19: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, Bharat is on a transformative journey to build a trillion-dollar digital economy, with Ladakh UT’s remarkable strides in e-governance and digital innovation.
Speaking at the Digital Innovation Summit 2025 in Leh on Friday, Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, highlighted the Union Territory’s remarkable strides in e-governance and digital innovation despite its challenging terrain.
Organized by Ladakh’s Department of Information Technology and Elets Technomedia, the summit brought together government leaders, policymakers, and tech pioneers to shape India’s digital future.
Gupta emphasized that Ladakh’s proactive adoption of digital solutions is a model for remote regions, strengthening Bharat’s global leadership and advancing its vision to become a Vishwaguru in the digital age.
“Ladakh, despite its difficult terrain, has emerged as a frontrunner in adopting e-governance and digital innovation. This digital revolution is not just transforming our economy but also strengthening India’s global leadership, paving the way for Bharat to emerge as a Vishwaguru in the digital age,” LG said.
The event, held under the central theme of “Digital India: Powering Progress with Purpose”, is aimed at exploring strengthening governance through emerging technologies, accelerating citizen service delivery, and driving inclusive and sustainable development.
“Ladakh, with its proactive adoption of digital solutions, is playing a pivotal role in advancing the Prime Minister’s vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The UT’s success in leveraging technology stands as a model for other remote and challenging regions of the country,” the LG said.
The Lt Governor maintained Ladakh has achieved several milestones in digital governance, including the launch of online public services, digitisation of land records under DILRMP, vehicle tracking devices for transport safety, and becoming the first Union Territory to introduce MedLEaPR, a medico-legal digital system.
The Lt Governor emphasised that despite Ladakh’s large area spread over 59,146 sq km, with a population density of about 4.6 persons per sq km, the UT Administration is committed to providing all basic facilities and connecting even the last mile.
He added that the UT Administration is working towards 100% digital coverage with e-Office, online scholarships, digital certificates, and cashless payments across all departments to ensure transparent and efficient service delivery.
Highlighting connectivity gains, Shri Kavinder Gupta informed that all 193 Gram Panchayats of Ladakh have been connected under BharatNet, ₹125 crore has been sanctioned for optical fibre expansion, mobile connectivity is available in 234 of 243 villages, and 4G services have reached 169 villages.
Over 175 new mobile towers, including solar-powered 4G towers in border areas like Siachen, Galwan, and Demchok, have also been sanctioned.
On renewable energy, he said the 220 kV Drass–Zanskar transmission line and Padum sub-station worth ₹1393 crore is under progress, alongside a planned 200 MW solar project with battery storage and a 280 MW solar park in Zanskar and Taisuru.
These projects will enhance power reliability, create jobs for local youth, and position Ladakh as a hub of clean, sustainable growth.
The Lt Governor asked the youth to actively embrace digital skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship, stressing that they are the true torchbearers of Ladakh’s future. He urged them to leverage new opportunities in IT, renewable energy, tourism, and start-ups, assuring that the UT Administration will extend all possible support to nurture their talent.
He emphasised that the participation of youth in nation-building will be pivotal in fulfilling the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a digitally empowered Bharat.
In his concluding remarks, the Lt Governor said that Ladakh’s journey of digital transformation and sustainable growth is a testament to the spirit of New India.
He expressed confidence that with continued focus on innovation, connectivity, renewable energy, and citizen-centric governance, Ladakh will not only script its own success story but also play a decisive role in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of building a trillion-dollar digital economy and making Bharat a true Vishwaguru in the digital age.
The Lt Governor thanked the IT Department of Ladakh and Elets Technomedia for organising the summit, adding that such platforms encourage innovation, collaboration, and inclusive digital progress across the country.
Earlier, Chief Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal and DGP Ladakh, Dr S.D Singh Jamwal, in their keynote address, highlighted Ladakh’s major transformation over the last few years and initiatives taken by the UT Administration to connect all parts of Ladakh through road network, power supply and mobile network connectivity.
Similarly, Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel, stressed that Ladakh can emerge as a model state for digital empowerment by placing citizens at the heart of the digital revolution.
Principal Secretary, Vocational Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr Hari Om and Administrative Secretary, IT Department, UT Ladakh, Shashanka Ala, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, CEO and Editor-in-chief of Elets Technomedia, Dr Ravi Gupta, welcomed the guests to the one-day-long conclave.
Among those present during the conclave were Chief Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel; DGP Ladakh, Dr SD Singh Jamwal; Administrative Secretaries from UT Ladakh; officials from UT Ladakh; experts and speakers from different parts of the country.
