Srinagar, Oct 16: In a major administrative expansion in the Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, announced the creation of Sankoo as a new administrative district. The announcement fulfills a long-standing demand of the residents of the Suru Valley and expands the total number of districts in Ladakh to eight.
The announcement reflects the administration’s broader push toward decentralised, people-centric governance, aimed at bringing administrative machinery closer to remote high-altitude communities.
Fulfilling Long-Standing Public Aspirations
Sankoo, located approximately 42 kilometres from Kargil town, serves as the central hub of the fertile Suru Valley. For decades, local representatives, civil society groups, and religious organizations have campaigned for district status, citing the area’s population, geographic challenges, administrative distance, and developmental potential.
In his official statement, the Lieutenant Governor noted that the decision aligns with the Union Government’s policy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with All, Development for All). He credited the constructive approach of local stakeholders, civic bodies, and political leaders—including Dr. Jaffar Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor of the LAHDC Kargil, Haji Haneefa Jan, Member of Parliament for Ladakh, Ex CEC Tashi Gyalson for helping bring the long-pending demand to fruition.
“In line with the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” vision of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble HM Shri @AmitShah ji, I am pleased to announce the creation of Sankoo District ! This is a culmination of the long standing aspiration of the people of the area and has been made possible through the constructive and positive approach of Anjuman-e-Sahib Zaman, under the visionary leadership of Chief Patron Syed Mohammad Razvi (Aga Migi Outh) and Chairman Sheikh Sadiq Balaghi and Dr. Jaffar Akhoon, CEC, Kargil and Haneefa Jan, MP, Ladakh and Tashi Gyalston, Ex CEC, Leh,” LG Ladakh said.
The announcement was met with widespread celebration across Sankoo and adjacent villages, where local residents gathered to exchange sweets and express gratitude. Leadership from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil and local socio-religious bodies welcomed the decision, describing it as a historic milestone that honors the voice and aspirations of the region’s people.
Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Karhil Dr Mohd Jaffar while speaking to Greater Kashmir express gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the LG Ladakh for fulfilling the geniune demand of the Sankoo area.
The creation of Sankoo as the eighth district follows the earlier rollout of five new districts in Ladakh—Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang—reflecting an unprecedented administrative reorganisation of the Union Territory aimed at boosting local governance and development across its expanse.
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