PM Modi inaugurates ₹3,350 crore projects to boost Ladakh's connectivity, power and water security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh, covering airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, renewable energy, heritage conservation and water management.

The projects are aimed at improving transport links, strengthening electricity supplies, addressing water scarcity and preserving the region's ancient cultural heritage. Addressing the occasion virtually, Modi said the initiatives would improve facilities and support development across the Union Territory.

"Today, another chapter is being added to Ladakh's progress and development. I am happy to be part of this occasion through technology. Several important development projects have been inaugurated in Ladakh today.

"These projects will make travel easier for many people, improve electricity facilities in some areas, increase water availability in others, and strengthen the preservation of our ancient heritage," the prime minister said.

New Leh airport terminal to improve passenger capacity

A key project inaugurated by Modi was the new passenger terminal at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, constructed at a cost of ₹640 crore.

Spread across 23,800 square metres, the modern terminal has been designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually. According to officials, it combines contemporary passenger amenities with elements of Ladakh's rich cultural heritage.

The terminal also incorporates geothermal energy to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The use of this technology reflects the importance of developing sustainable infrastructure in Ladakh's ecologically sensitive environment.

The facility is expected to improve passenger convenience and strengthen air connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country.

Strategic road strengthens military and civilian connectivity

Modi also dedicated the 298-km-long Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road to the nation. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the road connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley.

The route provides an alternative corridor to Ladakh, supplementing the existing Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways.

Traversing challenging Himalayan terrain, including the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass, the road represents a significant engineering achievement. Its strategic importance lies in improving operational mobility and strengthening logistical support for the armed forces.

The route is also expected to benefit residents of Zanskar by improving access to healthcare, education, markets and other essential services.

Renewable energy projects to strengthen power supply

As part of efforts to improve energy security and harness Ladakh's renewable energy potential, the prime minister inaugurated the 9 MW Hanu small hydroelectric project and the 66 kV double-circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi transmission line.

The two projects are expected to strengthen the region's power evacuation infrastructure and improve the reliability of its electricity network. They also represent a step towards making better use of Ladakh's hydropower resources.

Given the region's geographical conditions and potential for renewable energy generation, strengthening transmission infrastructure is important for ensuring that locally generated electricity can be delivered more reliably.

India's first petroglyph conservation park inaugurated

The prime minister also inaugurated India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat in Leh, highlighting the importance of safeguarding Ladakh's ancient archaeological heritage.

The Union Territory is home to hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites featuring carvings of wildlife, human figures and symbolic representations. These petroglyphs offer valuable insights into thousands of years of human history and form an important record of the region's cultural and civilisational past.

The conservation park will provide a dedicated space to protect these vulnerable archaeological remains, raise public awareness and encourage responsible heritage tourism.

Project Him Sarovar targets water scarcity

Modi also inaugurated 40 water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar. The initiative seeks to address Ladakh's distinctive geographical and climatic challenges through water conservation and is aligned with the objectives of Mission Amrit Sarovar.

Agriculture in Ladakh faces a seasonal imbalance between water availability and demand. Farmers frequently experience shortages during the crucial sowing season, even though snowmelt and glacial runoff provide substantial water resources at other times of the year.

Project Him Sarovar aims to address this mismatch by conserving water when it is available and ensuring supplies when they are needed. The initiative is expected to support irrigation, sustain agricultural livelihoods and strengthen long-term water security across the region.

Focus on connectivity and sustainable development

The five major projects, covering airport infrastructure, strategic road connectivity, hydropower, heritage conservation and water security, form part of a broader push to improve living conditions and strengthen infrastructure in Ladakh.

Together, the initiatives are expected to improve access to transport, enhance the reliability of electricity supplies, support farming communities and protect the region's cultural heritage. The emphasis on geothermal energy and hydropower also reflects efforts to make greater use of renewable energy while accounting for Ladakh's environmentally sensitive landscape.